Attenuation of drug-induced anxiety dreams and pavor nocturnus by benzodiazepines.

Anxiety dreams and night terrors have been reported as complications of single-dose bedtime administration of both tricyclic antidepressants and neuroleptics. Five cases are presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of diazepam and its close relative clorazepate in controlling this problem. The clinical usefulness and possible mechanisms of action of these agents in treating sleep disorder are discussed.