Through psychiatric interviews and psychological tests the authors
studied 38 adults who reported experiencing at least one nightmare per
week. Nearly all of the subjects had a lifelong history of frequent
nightmares. Four of the subjects met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia, 9
met the criteria for borderline personality, and 6 met the criteria for
schizotypal personality. The others had no specific diagnosis, and none of
the subjects had a diagnosis of typical neurosis. Many had mentally ill
relatives. Most had artistic interests and talents. These nightmare
sufferers may be seen as unusually vulnerable, with a potential for mental
illness--especially schizophrenia--as well as a potential for artistic
achievement.Abstract Teaser