Some from my own research, some curtesy of ChatGPT (Open AI)
Dreaming, REM sleep, and emotional stress
Nielsen, T. A., & Levin, R. (2007).
Nightmares: A new neurocognitive model.
Sleep Medicine Reviews, 11(4), 295–310.
– Describes how emotionally salient stressors are preferentially processed during REM sleep, increasing dream vividness, emotional intensity, and awakenings.
Walker, M. P., & van der Helm, E. (2009).
Overnight therapy? The role of sleep in emotional brain processing.
Psychological Bulletin, 135(5), 731–748.
– Explains how REM sleep modulates emotional memories and why unresolved stress can intensify dreams and physiological arousal (including sweating).
Payne, J. D., & Kensinger, E. A. (2010).
Sleep’s role in the consolidation of emotional episodic memories.
Current Directions in Psychological Science, 19(5), 290–295.
– Shows that emotionally charged experiences are more likely to be replayed and strengthened in dreams.
Dream recall and awakenings
Koulack, D., & Goodenough, D. R. (1976).
Dream recall and dream recall failure.
Psychological Bulletin, 83(5), 975–1000.
– Demonstrates that frequent awakenings from REM sleep markedly increase dream recall.
Eichenlaub, J. B., et al. (2014).
Resting brain activity varies with dream recall frequency.
Neuropsychopharmacology, 39, 1594–1602.
– Links higher dream recall to increased cortical arousal and memory persistence during sleep–wake transitions.
Stress, autonomic arousal, and night sweating
Vgontzas, A. N., et al. (2003).
Chronic stress and sleep disturbance.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 54(2), 149–155.
– Shows that ongoing psychological stress increases nocturnal sympathetic nervous system activity, including sweating.
Saper, C. B., Fuller, P. M., Pedersen, N. P., Lu, J., & Scammell, T. E. (2010).
Sleep state switching.
Neuron, 68(6), 1023–1042.
– Details how REM sleep suppresses thermoregulation, making sweating more likely during emotionally arousing dreams.
Autism and dreaming / emotional processing
Mazefsky, C. A., & White, S. W. (2014).
Emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(9), 948–957.
– Discusses heightened internal emotional load and differences in regulation, even without learning difficulties or co-morbidities.
Hollway, J. A., & Aman, M. G. (2011).
Sleep correlates of pervasive developmental disorders.
Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(4), 1398–1406.
– Reports increased sleep fragmentation and vivid dreaming in autistic adults, independent of intellectual disability.
Baron-Cohen, S., Lombardo, M. V., & Tager-Flusberg, H. (2013).
Understanding other minds: Perspectives from developmental social neuroscience.
– Provides background on cognitive load, responsibility, and social monitoring in autism — relevant to dream themes involving responsibility and emotional duty.
Clinical context (UK-relevant)
NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary: Sleep disorders (insomnia and parasomnias)
– Notes that stress-related vivid dreams and night sweats are common and usually benign when not associated with systemic illness
Discovering My Autism 