Trauma-Fueled Nightmares and Night Terrors with PTSD
Therapy in a Nutshell
@therapyinanutshellAbout
I’m Emma McAdam, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and my mission is to make mental health resources easier to access. I take therapy skills and psychological research and condense them down into bite-sized nuggets of help. As a licensed therapist, one thing I’ve noticed is that most people have no idea of what they can do to improve depression, anxiety, or other mental illness. I’m here to spread the message that while mental illness is real, it’s common, it’s debilitating, it’s also treatable. There are dozens of research-backed approaches to treating depression, anxiety, ptsd, and other mental illness. Change, growth, and healing are possible. Please keep courage! Try one little thing every day to improve your life and health, and things can get so much better! I am not currently taking any new clients, but you can find a therapist with my sponsor: BetterHelp.com/therapyinanutshell
Latest Posts
Video Description
Learn how to stop nightmares and night terrors in adults, understand PTSD-related sleep issues, and get practical treatment tips for better rest and recovery. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership What’s the difference between nightmares and night terrors—and how do you stop them, especially in adults? In this video, we break down nightmares vs night terrors, including how they relate to PTSD, trauma, and stress. Learn how to recognize the signs of nightmare disorder, and what treatments like Imagery Rehearsal Therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and sleep hygiene can do to help. We also explore night terrors in adults, which are rare but sometimes linked to PTSD. Whether you're seeking effective night terrors treatment, support for trauma-related sleep issues, or just want to understand why your sleep feels so disturbing, this video offers insight and real tools. If you or a loved one suffer from intense dreams or frightening sleep episodes, you’re not alone—and healing is possible. #Nightmares #NightTerrors #NightTerrorsInAdults #HowToStopNightmaresInAdults #NightmareDisorder #PTSD #sleeptherapy 00:00 Intro 00:47 Are Nightmares and Night Terrors a Sign of Trauma? 01:11 What Are Nightmares? 01:56 What Are Night Terrors? 02:56 What Causes Nightmares and Night Terrors? 03:44 Nightmare Disorder: When Nightmares Become a Problem 04:40 How to Treat Nightmares and Night Terrors in Adults 05:06 Treating Nightmares & PTSD-Related Nightmare Disorder 07:26 Effective Treatments for Night Terrors in Adults 09:27 Overcoming Nightmares and Night Terrors: Final Thoughts Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell FREE Mental Health Resources: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/free-resources Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: https://tinpodcast.podbean.com/ Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 988 or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
Sleep Better Tonight
AI-recommended products based on this video

Bluetooth Pillow Speaker for Sleeping, Mini Portable Under Pillow Speaker with White Noise Ultra Thin Pillow Speakers for Deep Sleeping, for Side Sleepers and Deep Sleep

alazyhome Upholstered Platform Full Size Bed Frame with Headboard Wooden Slats Support No Noise Easy Assembly White Linen

Monster Sleep Ear100 Ear Buds, Sleep Earbuds with Stereo Sound, Design for Side Sleeper, 32H Playtime, Bluetooth 6.0, ENC Noise Cancelling, IPX6 Waterproof Mini Headphones, White

Wireless Earbuds, 2025 Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones HiFi Stereo 50H Playback Ear Buds with Led Digital Display, ENC Noise Cancelling Earbuds for Laptop Computer, iOS, Android, White

HJTHJT 500ML Essential Oil Diffuser: Aroma Diffuser with Remote Control for Hotel Spa Yoga Room - Humidifier with 14 Colors LED Night Light for Bath Bedroom Relaxation (Dark Black)

GRADWYSE Education Master Hood Light Blue Graduation Master Degree Hood, Various College Colors Available

Asus ZenScreen 16” Portable USB Monitor (MB169CK) - Full HD, IPS, Dual USB-C, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Anti-Glare Surface, 360° Kickstand, 3 yr Warranty

Asus ZenScreen 15.6” 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16ACV) - Full HD, IPS, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Kickstand, USB-C Power Delivery, for Laptop, PC, Phone, Console, Antibacterial Surface , BLACK

ASUS ZenScreen 15.6” 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16ACVR) - Full HD, IPS, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Kickstand, USB-C Power Delivery, for Laptop, PC, Phone, Console, Antibacterial Surface

Webber Naturals Melatonin 10 mg Gummy, 100 Gummies, Cherry-Pomegranate Flavour, For Sleep Support, Vegan



















