Question
How should one treat or adjust the situation when a child frequently dreams at night, especially when dreaming of being wronged, leading to crying and difficulty in soothing?
Answer
The following information is for reference: The phenomenon of frequent dreaming is common among people. The claim that one dreams all night or that dreaming affects sleep quality is incorrect. Dreams are a normal physiological phenomenon and not an indicator of shallow sleep. Patients with insomnia report dreaming more, but physiological tests show that their sleep cycles are the same as those of normal people. The rapid eye movement (REM) sleep period, during which dreams occur, is neither significantly shortened nor prolonged. Therefore, the description of dreaming all night is exaggerated, and the description of not dreaming is unrealistic. Studies both domestically and internationally have shown that dreams are prevalent and are unrelated to sleep quality. The phrase “dreaming all night” is not accurate.