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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Depression And Anxiety Medications Cause Nightmares?

I AM A DIABETIC TYPE 2 AND I ALSO TAKE MEDS FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO I HAVE BEEN HAVING BAD DREAMS WHEN I SLEEP ALSO I CANT SLEEP ONLYABOUT 3 HRS A NIGHT I WAS WONDERING IF IT COULD BE SOME OF THE MEDS I TAKE CAUSEING THIS.
Fri, 2 Jan 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

You have been advised to take medicines for depression and anxiety. Common anti anxiety medicines like benzodiazepines are known to increase duration of REM sleep and reduce the levels of deep sleep. This results in increased the risk of nightmares. This could be probable reason for nightmares. You have not mentioned the medicines but if you are taking benzodiazepines then this could be the reason of your nightmares. Other anti anxiety medicines like SSRIs as sertraline, escitalopram etc can also slightly increase risk of nightmares.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
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Can Depression And Anxiety Medications Cause Nightmares?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM You have been advised to take medicines for depression and anxiety. Common anti anxiety medicines like benzodiazepines are known to increase duration of REM sleep and reduce the levels of deep sleep. This results in increased the risk of nightmares. This could be probable reason for nightmares. You have not mentioned the medicines but if you are taking benzodiazepines then this could be the reason of your nightmares. Other anti anxiety medicines like SSRIs as sertraline, escitalopram etc can also slightly increase risk of nightmares. Thanks, hope this helps you.