Frequent, graphic nightmares aren't just unsettling—they can be your brain’s way of sounding the alarm. In some cases, they’ve even signaled underlying health issues. So if your dreams have taken a terrifying turn, it might be time to pay attention. In fact, nightmares can sometimes be an early warning sign of serious health conditions.
For example, one study found that older adults who experienced frequent nightmares were three times more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease within five years. Other research has linked recurring nightmares to early signs of dementia.
Related: 57 Common Dreams and Their Hidden Meanings
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakes healthy tissue and organs as foreign invaders. The attacks on healthy tissue create widespread inflammation, sometimes creating permanent tissue damage.
Lupus symptoms can vary from patient to patient. According to Cleveland Clinic, they often include some combination of chest pain, joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, rashes (especially a "butterfly" rash across the face), fever, hair loss, mouth sores, swelling in the extremities and face, blood clots, shortness of breath and confusion. It can also lead to sensitivity to light, dry eyes, depression, anemia, anxiety, heart disease, kidney disease seizures and more serious issues, so it's absolutely not a condition to take lightly. If you think you may have lupus, talk to your physician ASAP.
What Did the Study Find?
The study conducted an online survey of 676 people living with lupus and 400 medical professionals. Additionally, they held more detailed interviews with 69 people living with some autoimmune disease and 50 clinicians.
While hallucinations aren't a universal symptom of lupus, research suggests some individuals can develop a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms. “Many people don’t know that neuropsychiatric symptoms, including confusion, hallucinations and vivid nightmares, can be part of autoimmune diseases like lupus,” Dr. James Alan Bourgeois, OD, MPA, MD, a professor of psychiatry at UC Davis and co-study author, said.
“For many years, I have discussed nightmares with my lupus patients and thought that there was a link with their disease activity,” said Dr. David D’Cruz, Ph.D, a professor from King’s College London and senior study author. “This research provides evidence of this.”
Inside the Disturbing Nightmares
The nightmares people had were often disturbing and violent. Their common themes includes being attacked, trapped, crushed or falling.
Less than one in four people with lupus also reported "daymares" (nightmarish hallucinations that happen while awake), though the researchers note that daytime hallucinations usually appeared when the lupus flare-up occurred or afterward—not before.
So the next time you wake up from a weird dream, don’t just write it off. Your dreams could be telling you something important.
Related: If You Keep Having Crazy Dreams, Here’s What Might Be Going On
Sources
"Distressing dreams and risk of Parkinson's disease: A population-based cohort study." eClinicalMedicine."Neuropsychiatric prodromes and symptom timings in relation to disease onset and/or flares in SLE: results from the mixed methods international INSPIRE study." eClinicalMedicine."Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A 2021 Update on Diagnosis, Management, and Current Challenges." Cureus.James Alan Bourgeois, OD, MPA, MD, professor of psychiatry at UC DavisDavid D’Cruz, Ph.D., consultant rheumatologist at Guy’s Hospital and professor at King’s College London“'I feel like I’m Alice in Wonderland': nightmares and ‘daymares’ could be early warning signs of autoimmune disease." University of Cambridge."Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)." National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases."Lupus facts and statistics." Lupus Foundation of America."Lupus." Cleveland Clinic. Read More Details
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