Latest studies suggest women suffer more nightmares than men do
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We live in such surreal times, which is reflected in many people’s sleep patterns.
During the Covid period, we had feverish and sad dreams and nightmares that grew stranger and more intense as we delved deeper into the pandemic. People reported vivid episodes that continued to be disturbing well into the next day.
Sleep patterns were obviously disrupted and pandemic dreams were a reality for many – isolation and quarantine were seen as the main culprits at the time.
But what about now? Well, things are just as weird, if not weirder. And given that we’re doing all that spring-forward DST drama this weekend, we’re all in for a wild ride in the sleep department.
Especially when it comes to nightmares and the role they play in sex.
Who has the most nightmares? According to recent research by ThePleasantDream website on dream interpretation, they are women.
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The company turned to a team of experts in the field of psychology and mental health and found that women, in general, have more nightmares than men. According to a recent media release, women can also remember them better.
(Speaking of nightmares, a few weeks ago I dreamed that I was walking up a cement staircase in a dark city. The further I went up, the more I struggled with a thick layer of mud cascading down the stairs… At one point, a wall of mud came over me. I panicked as the mud was crushing me. And then suddenly as I started walking down the stairs the mud was gone and my shoes were clean. Weird or what? )
Why is this?
“Nightmares reflect our deepest fears and worries. The conflicts, emotional turmoil and challenges one faces in daily life are reflected in one’s dreams,” said board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios of ThePleasantDream in a recent publication, adding that “society has different expectations of women than men, and attempts by women to meet these high expectations can lead them to suppress their emotions … repressed emotions and experiencing more violence, abuse and assault may be reasons why women are more prone to nightmares.”
Psychologist Matthias Dettmann, a Triple P trainer and PMR coach, said in a recent email that “several studies suggest that women may have more nightmares than they do because of their tendency to remember their dreams better Men. Hormonal fluctuations in women during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause can (also) lead to changes in sleep patterns and influence the occurrence of nightmares.”
There are myriad social factors at play, too, and stress related to issues like caring and domestic responsibilities “can also contribute to more nightmares in women.”
Much of this is common sense, of course – and you just know that we’re all bracing ourselves for the inevitable problems surrounding the upcoming hour change. So it’s understandable why many Canadians brace themselves for the inevitable dreams and nightmares to come this hour-changing weekend.
The most common nightmares in women
Experts agree that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nightmares as they vary from person to person. However, women tend to have similar visions when they dream: “Women often have nightmares about being followed or attacked because they are more likely to be victims,” clinical director and registered psychotherapist Ellie Borden said in a recent media release. “Falling or drowning is another nightmare theme common to women that reflects feelings of helplessness or vulnerability.
“These are more common in women because they face gender oppression and discrimination.”
Life coach and senior astrologer Karen Comen added in the same press release that “nightmares involving the loss of a loved one are like giving up.”
Mental health experts note that nightmares “reach a peak in frequency in early adolescence – in both boys and girls, but among women in particular, nightmare frequency may increase in young adulthood before decreasing with age.” .
“Nightmares decrease when we heal or resolve the underlying psychological stressor or trauma. Because trauma in the early years becomes more focused with time and intention, whether through formal psychotherapy or other remedies, nightmares can decrease with time and age,” says Dr. Deborah Vinall, Certified Trauma Therapist, in a recent publication.
Age doesn’t play a complete role, adds Dr. Nancy B. Irwin, clinical psychologist with the Dream Analysis Group at Seasons Malibu.
“You can, but it’s not necessarily down to age. Learning how your mind is always trying to help you at night instead of being afraid can be acquired at any age. Also, some women become more stable and functional and mentally and physically healthier as they adopt a better lifestyle. This definitely affects the mind at night,” she said in a recent publication.
– www.thepleasantdream.com/why-do-women-tend-to-have-more-nightmares-als-men
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