Why are there so many and chaotic dreams during sleep?
Mar 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
In general, frequent and chaotic dreaming during sleep may be caused by factors such as poor sleep environment, unhealthy lifestyle habits, anxiety disorders, hyperthyroidism, or obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. It is important to develop good sleep hygiene practices in daily life, such as maintaining a comfortable sleep environment and avoiding caffeine intake at night, which can help improve sleep quality.
Generally, frequent and chaotic dreams during sleep may be caused by poor sleep environment, unhealthy lifestyle habits, anxiety disorder, hyperthyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Poor Sleep Environment
Inappropriate sleep environments, such as noise, excessive lighting, overly high or low room temperature, or uncomfortable bedding, may disrupt sleep and lead to insomnia and frequent dreaming. It is important to maintain a good sleep environment by reducing noise disturbances, using blackout curtains or eye masks, adjusting the room temperature to a comfortable range, and choosing comfortable bedding and pillows.
2. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as overeating at night, consuming coffee or strong tea, and vigorous exercise before bedtime may increase brain excitability, leading to difficulty falling asleep and experiencing frequent and chaotic dreams. Adjusting lifestyle habits, avoiding excessive eating at night, and refraining from consuming stimulants can help improve sleep quality.
3. Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorder arises from multiple factors including genetics, environment, and psychosocial influences. Patients often exhibit excessive worry and fear about daily matters. This anxiety may lead to difficulty falling asleep, light sleep, frequent dreaming, and other symptoms. It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as tension, restlessness, and irritability. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as sertraline hydrochloride capsules, olanzapine-fluoxetine capsules, or venlafaxine hydrochloride sustained-release capsules may be used to alleviate symptoms.
4. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is caused by excessive synthesis and release of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, leading to increased metabolism and sympathetic nervous system excitation, which may elevate nervous system excitability and result in chaotic and frequent dreams. Patients may also experience symptoms such as palpitations and excessive sweating. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or levothyroxine sodium tablets for treatment.
5. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome
Excessive body weight may lead to increased fat deposition in the throat area, compressing the upper airway and causing obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. During sleep, patients may repeatedly experience hypoxia, leading to insomnia, frequent dreaming, and chaotic dreams. Symptoms may also include daytime sleepiness, decreased memory, and headaches. Patients may follow medical instructions to use medications such as estazolam tablets, xiangju capsules, or tongqiao biyan tablets to alleviate symptoms.
Maintaining good sleep hygiene practices in daily life, such as ensuring a comfortable sleep environment and avoiding caffeine intake at night, can help improve sleep quality.
