Imagery Rehearsal Therapy
Suffering from bad sleep? Learn about Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and how it can reduce nightmares and enhance sleep quality.
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Commonly asked questions
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy is a technique of cognitive behavior therapy designed to help individuals experiencing recurring, traumatic nightmares. It focuses on recounting the nightmare and coming up with alternative endings that are more positive. These are then rehearsed during wake, to be translated into the individual's dream state.
Therapists typically recommend rehearsing for between 10 to 20 minutes a day for a few weeks or until the nightmare is no longer persistent. However, rehearsal times may differ depending on individual factors like nightmare frequency, the intensity of the nightmare, and the level of PTSD symptoms.
Nightmare disorder can be caused by a range of factors that cause significant distress to the individual. This may include unpleasant childhood experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic or prolonged stress, and some medications.
