title: In vivo desensitization in the treatment of recurrent nightmares.
abstract: The literature, although sparse, suggests that behavioral interventions targeting the overt waking manifestations of the fear content of nightmares, can effectively reduce the frequency and intensity of these dreams. A 20-year-old female with recurrent nightmares centering on a fear of snakes, was treated by in vivo desensitization in which she approached a live, harmless snake. During treatment the client displayed habituation of fear of the snake and this corresponded to reductions in her nightmares. By the end of treatment and at 3-month and 1-year follow-up evaluations, she was free of fear and her nightmares had been eliminated. It is suggested that in vivo behavioral treatment of the content of nightmares may be a very effective way to eliminate these distressing dreams.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eccles
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D004325:Dreams; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications