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As the number of COVID-19 cases has increased, a Harvard researcher reports receiving thousands of responses to an online dream survey she created. The researchers concluded this arose from increased emotional arousal after the trauma. At least one small study after 9/11 showed a significant increase in something called “central image intensity” (the central image is considered the emotional focus of a dream). What’s more, doctors aren’t surprised to hear reports of anxiety-related dreams about COVID-19. “It’s important to realize that this is part of human nature and to know you are not alone.” “People say they feel alone in having so many strange dreams, but it is a significant phenomenon, and it’s happening with some frequency during the pandemic,” she says. Susan Rubman, PhD, a Yale Medicine psychologist and sleep specialist, agrees, noting that these dreams and nightmares are surprisingly common. “Some think it’s a way for us to work out our daily stresses or preoccupations during the day.” ![]() “Nightmares and bad dreams, in general, have not been shown to be unhealthy,” she says. ![]() People are reporting strange, intense, colorful, and vivid dreams-and many are having disturbing nightmares related to COVID-19.īut Christine Won, MD, a Yale Medicine sleep specialist, who has noticed an uptick in patients reporting recurrent or stressful dreams, provides reassurance that this is no cause for concern. ![]() Apparently, it has even invaded our dreams. Whether the cause is stress related to working from home, wearing masks, lack of day care, or limited access to health care, COVID-19-related anxiety has spilled into nearly every aspect of our lives.
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