Nightmare Disorder is primarily characterized by?

Nightmare Disorder is indeed primarily characterized by sleep disturbances that arise from vivid, distressing dreams. Individuals experiencing this disorder often have repeated nightmares, which can cause significant anxiety or distress, leading to difficulties in sleep and overall functioning during the day.

The vivid and often horrifying nature of these dreams tends to awaken the person, who typically recalls the content of the nightmare in great detail. This recall is an important aspect, as it distinguishes Nightmare Disorder from other sleep disorders where such vivid recollection may not be present.

Understanding this core element of Nightmare Disorder helps differentiate it from other conditions listed. For instance, sleepwalking involves a lack of conscious awareness and different types of sleep disturbances, whereas excessive daytime sleepiness is more often associated with disorders like narcolepsy. Similarly, the inability to remember dreams does not align with the defining characteristics of Nightmare Disorder, where memory of distressing dreams is prominent.