Recurrent Nightmares Can Be Rescripted by Journaling Happier Endings Before Sleep

What was said

"The treatment of nightmares is to rescript the story with a journal before you go to bed. The power of suggestion is so powerful. Imagery rehearsal therapy, IRT. It means before you go to bed, you write a happier, a better, a more kind ending to the nightmare that's torturing you."

Dr. Jandial described a scientifically validated treatment for nightmare disorder called imagery rehearsal therapy, in which patients journal alternate, positive endings to their recurring nightmares before sleep. The treatment works because of the brain's susceptibility to suggestion, and the fact that humans are fundamentally storytellers—reframing the narrative reshapes the dream itself.