Do you always have nightmares? Scientists finally identify why some people are more prone

WAKE UP sweating, shaking and with a racing heart from a nightmare is never a pleasant experience.

It may seem like some people are more prone to having their sleep invaded by nightmares, while others consistently sleep through the night like a baby — now scientists have a theory as to why.

Lonely people may be more likely to have nightmares, according to scientists at Oregon State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Tampa and Whitworth University.

Both loneliness and sleep disorders are serious public health problems, said researcher Colin Hesse, as both are linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death.

The study sheds light on the health consequences of being alone, the scientists said.

The researchers drew on a theory called the evolutionary theory of loneliness, which proposes that feelings of loneliness evolved as a kind of warning system to let us know when our social connections are lacking.

Dr. Hesse, director of the School of Communication in OSU’s College of Liberal Arts, said, “When people’s need for strong relationships is not met, they suffer physically, mentally and socially.

“Just as hunger or fatigue means you haven’t eaten enough calories or slept, loneliness has evolved to alert individuals when their needs for interpersonal connection are not met.”

The decision comes after researchers at Harvard University said loneliness can increase the risk of stroke by 56 percent.

Social isolation has been linked to heart disease, depression, dementia and diabetes.

Not only affecting waking hours and overall health, it appears that loneliness can also affect sleep quality through nightmares, scientists said.

Nightmares are nightmares that you wake up from and can remember.

Treatment for nightmares in adults depends on what may be causing them, says the NHS.

If you’re having nightmares caused by a traumatic event, a family doctor may be able to recommend psychological treatment, such as counseling.

If you have a condition that affects your sleep, treatment usually involves trying to better control the condition.

The study involved surveying 1,600 U.S. adults ages 18 to 81.

The researchers found that people who described themselves as lonely were more likely to experience more frequent and intense nightmares – although they noted that the results showed correlation rather than cause and effect.

A key link between loneliness and nightmare frequency was stress, researchers said in a paper published in Psychology Magazine.

Other factors that link loneliness to nightmares are worry, anxiety and hyperarousal – the state of being extremely alert and focused.

Just like stress, rumination and hyperarousal are associated with loneliness, researchers said.

Lonely individuals tended to experience more of these mental states, which in turn were associated with more frequent and intense nightmares.

Hesse said: “Quality restorative sleep is critical for cognitive functioning, mood regulation, metabolism and many other aspects of well-being.

“This is why it is so important to investigate the psychological states that disrupt sleep, loneliness being the main one.”

Dr. Hesse continued: “It’s too early to talk about specific interventions in a concrete way, but our findings are certainly consistent with the possibility that treating loneliness would help lessen someone’s nightmarish experiences.

“This is a possibility to be addressed in controlled clinical studies.”

Loneliness is considered a state of mind that makes a person feel empty, alone and unwanted.

It is not the same thing as social isolation, but it can be made worse by it.

According to Campaign to End Loneliness7.1 per cent of Brits – around 3.83 million – experience chronic loneliness, meaning they feel lonely “often or always”.

The number of people who feel alone has increased since pandemiche said.