Episode 2, Season 7: Evidence-Based Treatment of Nightmare Disorder: Skeptics Welcome!
We often think of nightmares as a symptom that occurs as part of another condition, like PTSD or depression. But nightmares can be frequent and disruptive enough that they require their own clinical focus. We currently have 3 gold standard options for treatment: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy; Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescription Therapy; and Lucid Dreaming.
Our guest today, Dr. Courtney Worley, introduces us to the diagnosis of Nightmare Disorder, explains why it deserves its own attention, and gives us an overview of the most effective treatments. Join us for a discussion that appeals to sleep nerds and healthy skeptics alike.
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Show Notes:
Dr. Courtney Worley is a Diplomate In Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist. She completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2012 at The University of Alabama with specialized coursework in health and geropsychology. Dr. Worley specializes in providing Evidence Based Psychotherapies for PTSD, Insomnia, Nightmares and Depression. She has an active clinical practice in the Department of Veterans Affairs, at Upward Behavioral Health, and with NOCTEM Health. She is the co-author of The Nightmare and Sleep Disorder Toolkit: A Workbook to Help You Get Some Rest Using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Other Evidence-Based Approaches from New Harbinger Publications.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- The Nightmare and Sleep Disorder Toolkit: A Workbook to Help You Get Some Rest Using Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Other Evidence-Based Approaches by Courtney Worley and Michael Nadorff.
- Geoffroy, P. A., Borand, R., Ambar Akkaoui, M., Yung, S., Atoui, Y., Fontenoy, E., Maruani, J., & Lejoyeux, M. (2022). Bad Dreams and Nightmares Preceding Suicidal Behaviors. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 84(1), 22m14448. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.22m14448
Calls-to-action:
- Routinely ask about nightmares and dreams as part of your clinical assessment
- Obtain training in at least one of the evidence-based treatments for nightmare disorder
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This podcast is produced by the Center for Deployment Psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Uniformed Services University, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. In addition, reference to any specific company, products, processes, or services does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement by the Uniformed Services University, the Department of Defense, or the US Government.