Nightmares or other changes in dreaming are one possible effect you might notice after you start taking an antidepressant.
Ironically, antidepressants, which treat depression, can also impact your dreams through affecting REM sleep.
Research has shown that antidepressants may induce different dreamemotions,which can lead to both pleasant dreams and nightmares.
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This effect was most prominent for people takingtricyclic antidepressants.
On the other hand, tricyclics tended to produce more positive or pleasant dreams.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs) block the breakdown of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
One MAOI called Nardil (phenelzine) has also been shown to increase dream recall.
However, research suggests that they can also impair sleep and may increase the risk of having nightmares.
Withdrawal from antidepressants usually caused an increase in dream recall and more frequent nightmares.
More studies are needed to characterize how antidepressants affect dreaming.
The effect on dreams, including the increased likelihood of nightmares, may affect patient preferences regarding medication.
It may also affect recommendations for which antidepressant best suits each individual.
Final Thoughts
Nightmares and changes in dreaming are not frequently discussed side effects of antidepressants.
National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.
Foldvary-Schaefer N.Sleep and psychological disorders.
In:Cleveland Clinic Guide to Sleep Disorders.Kaplan Publishing; 2009. : Systematic review and meta-analysis of psychiatric adverse events during -blocker therapy.Hypertension.
2021;77(5):1539-1548. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.16590
