Is There a Link Between Nightmares and Autoimmune Disorders?
Nightmares might serve as an early warning
system for the onset of autoimmune disorders in the brain, according to
new research. Melanie Sloan, a public health researcher at the
University of Cambridge, led a study revealing that bad dreams are a
common early sign of a lupus flare-up.
In an online survey of 676 lupus
patients—technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)—about a
third reported experiencing disrupted dreams in the year before other
disease symptoms appeared. This finding supports anecdotal reports
linking the brain's immune system to dream patterns.
Neurologist and study author Guy Leschziner from Guy's and St Thomas'
Hospitals in London explained, "We have long known that changes in
dreaming can signify shifts in physical, neurological, and mental health
and may indicate early disease. However, this is the first evidence
suggesting that nightmares might help monitor a serious autoimmune
condition like lupus."
SLE is a lifelong autoimmune disease
typically beginning between ages 15 and 45, causing intermittent
flare-ups every few years, marked by painful joints, fever, chest pain,
fatigue, or hair loss. While not all SLE patients develop
neuropsychiatric symptoms during flares, about 40 percent do. Diagnosing
and treating these symptoms can be challenging, as they are subjective
and patients are often hesitant to discuss them.
People with brain-related autoimmune diseases frequently experience
vivid, emotionally charged dreams. However, these cognitive symptoms
often go unnoticed. Recent studies have shown that individuals who later
develop Parkinson's disease, which is linked to autoimmune issues,
experience distressing dreams up to a decade before diagnosis.
Nightmares may also predict dementia, another condition linked to the
immune system, and some multiple sclerosis patients report unpleasant
dreams before flare-ups.
The study included personal interviews with 69 people with systemic
autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including lupus. One participant
described their nightmares during a lupus flare as so "horrific" that
they saw "skin coming off people." Another theorized, "I came to the
conclusion that [the nightmares are] probably me fighting my own
system."
Researchers also gently introduced the
topic of hallucinations by asking about 'daymares.' One participant
immediately understood, describing the experience as feeling "really
disorientated" and akin to being "Alice in Wonderland." The online
survey found that over 60 percent of respondents reported increasingly
disrupted night-time dreaming before experiencing daymares.
These findings align with clinical observations by Sloan and
rheumatologist David D'Cruz from Kings College London. D'Cruz noted,
"For many years, I have discussed nightmares with my lupus patients and
thought there was a link with their disease activity. This research
provides evidence of this, and we strongly encourage more doctors to ask
about nightmares and other neuropsychiatric symptoms."
The study also surveyed clinicians about their understanding of lupus.
Only one rheumatologist had considered dreams potentially related to
lupus flares, but most experts were open to asking patients about their
nightmares to detect and treat flares earlier.
Our dreams could indeed be telling us something significant, even as
scientists continue to explore these links.