Nightmares can be a common problem for people who have experienced traumatic events. They can feel like they are a re-experiencing of the actual events and are very distressing. The following is a protocol that can help you manage nightmares, both before they happen and afterwards. Read this protocol through before going to sleep, and keep a copy of it handy so you can read and follow it after you wake up from a nightmare. 

• Today I have been feeling really scared of ____________________.  
  
• So, I might have a nightmare and wake up feeling __________. (e.g. scared, sick, angry, sad, etc.)  
  
• If that happens, I will tell myself that I had the nightmare because I am remembering ____________________. (e.g. the bad thing that happened, the bad person, all that awful stuff, etc).  
  
• I will then turn on the light and look around my room and name 5 things that I see in the room.  
  
• And I will then tell myself that I just had a nightmare and that ____________________  is not happening to me now or any more.  
  
• If necessary, I will get up from bed and do something for 10 minutes or more (e.g. have a glass of water; look at, name, and touch 5 objects; listen to some calming music; talk to somebody) that will help remind me where and when I am, and that what I am remembering is not happening right now.  
  
• When I am sufficiently calm I will return to bed.  
  
• I will repeat this protocol every time I have a nightmare. 
  

© Kent Smith 2009 (adapted from Babette Rothchild, 2001)

Download the PDF file: Appendix D: Nightmare protocol [ 87 Kb]