actual storyline of the dream, while latent content is the hidden meaning of the dream, which is usually sexual according to Freud. Carl Jung also believed that dreams tap into the unconscious. It was felt that certain themes are the same across all cultures. Dreams are thought to be a way to construct a virtual reality that can be used to manage issues in the wakefulness period. Lucid dreaming happens when there is partial wakefulness so that the person has some control over the outcome of the dream.
SLEEP DISORDERS There are several different types of sleep disorders. In general, sleep disorders are very common, affecting up to half the population at any given point in time. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and represents the inability to fall asleep or the inability to stay asleep during the night. The criterion for the disorder is having problems at least three nights per week for at least one month s time. There is associated anxiety around falling asleep, which further exacerbates the sleep problem. The patient with chronic anxiety often has depressive symptoms. Insomnia can be due to poor sleep habits and may be related to exercise, mental health issues, drug use, and age. Interventions that can help insomnia include increased physical activity during the day, OTC or prescription sleeping medications, limitation of caffeine, and improved sleep habits. Those with severe insomnia should see a doctor for management. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help to some degree. There are some types of parasomnias, which are disruptive sleep experiences that can happen in REM sleep or non-REM sleep. Examples of parasomnias include restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking, and night terrors. Sleep walking is called somnambulism. The sleepwalker will participate in complex behaviors while actually asleep. It happens in slow-wave sleep most often but can happen in any stage of sleep. It is largely treated with medications like benzodiazepines and antidepressants but the value of these is questionable. REM sleep behavior disorder involves a lack of muscle paralysis during REM sleep. In a sense, the person acts out their dreams, which can be dangerous to the person or their
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