To cope with nightmares, last week Sarah Kershaw wrote an article in the NY TImes – “Guiding Your Sleep While You’re awake.” Dr. Barry Krakow helped to develop “imagery rehearsal therapy.” The client selects a nightmare that he/she can learn how to transform into a dream of diminished intensity. During the waking state, change the dream in your mind’s eye to have positive images. Rehearse the new dream for 10-20 minutes each day and over time, the intensity of the nightmare will lessen and it may even become merely a dream.
Ms. Kershaw presented several psychological methods to alter nightmares, but his seemed the best to me for dealing with anxiety and stress from nightmares.
Irving Nadler, PhD Tel: 561-361-0711 www.DoctorNadler.com
