DREAMS AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL FOR COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS: A REVIEW

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66104/hvm4mn06

Keywords:

Dreams, Anxiety, Depression, Self-Help Groups, Primary Health Care

Abstract

Common Mental Disorders are increasing in prevalence across the world. Their treatment is challenging, as it often involves non-drug approaches that are not widely available. Dream interpretation has been used in psychotherapy for over a century, and therapeutic groups with dreams have shown promises in controlling mental health symptoms. Through a review of the scientific bases EMBASE, PubMed and LILACS, we searched for clinical studies regarding the use of dreams in the treatment of Common Mental Disorders in Primary Health Care. No study directly elegible was found. Nevertheless, we identified successful experiences of group dreamwork in the treatment of patients with mental health symptoms. This could be an innovation and a possibility of an accessible approach for these patients.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Sidarta Tollendal Gomes Ribeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

    Professor of Neuroscience at the Brain Institute of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Brasília (1993), a Master's degree in Biophysics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1994), a PhD in Animal Behavior from Rockefeller University (2000), and a Post-Doctorate in Neurophysiology from Duke University (2005). Permanent member of the UFRN Postgraduate Programs in Psychobiology (CAPES rating 6), Bioinformatics (CAPES rating 5), and Neuroscience (CAPES rating 5). From 2009 to 2011, served as secretary of the Brazilian Society for Neuroscience and Behavior (SBNeC). From 2011 to 2015, coordinated the Brazilian committee of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences. Since 2011, has been a member of the scientific committee of the Latin American School of Education, Cognitive and Neural Sciences (LA School), which in 2014 received the inaugural award Exemplifying the Mission of the International Mind, Brain and Education Society. Core coordinator of the project for the assessment of children at risk for learning disorders (ACERTA - CAPES/Observatório da Educação). Has been a member of the Brazilian Platform for Drug Policy since 2015. Associate editor of the journals PLoS One, PLoS Mental Health, Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, and Frontiers in Psychology - Language Sciences. He is a member of the Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Psychoactive Substances (NEIP) and the Chacruna Institute of Psychedelic Plant Medicines. Elected in 2016 as a member of the Latin American Academy of Sciences (ACAL). Was a member of the Administrative Council of the National Network of Science for Education (CpE) from 2016 to 2025. Elected in 2017 and 2019 to the Board of Directors of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC), as third secretary. Member of the SBPC Council between 2021 and 2025. In 2022, received the "Noilde Ramalho" Medal of Educational Merit from the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Norte, and in 2023 the "Pedro Ernesto" Medal from the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro. Since 2023, has been a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies (CEE) of FIOCRUZ.

  • Rodolfo Rego Deusdará Rodrigues, Universidade de Brasília

    Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Brasília and professor in the postgraduate programs in Tropical Medicine and Medical Sciences at the University of Brasília. Graduated in Medicine from the State University of Rio de Janeiro/2010. Residency in Family and Community Medicine at UFRJ/2013. R3 in Family and Community Medicine in Management and Co-preceptorship at UERJ/2014. MBA in Economics and Health Technology Assessment/HAOC in 2017. Master's degree in Public Health IESC/UFRJ in 2018. PhD in Public Health IESC/UFRJ in 2022. Sandwich PhD abroad at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (USA), CNPq scholarship holder, from September/2021 to August 2022. IATS-UnB Researcher. Pedagogical supervisor of the PMMB-UnB/Ministry of Education program from 2019 to 2021. Pedagogical tutor of the PMMB-UnB/Ministry of Education program since April 2023. Vice-Director of the Faculty of Medicine at UnB for the 2025-2028 term. General coordinator of the Una-SUS Network at the University of Brasília from September 2025.

References

CARCIONE, A; SANTONASTASO, M; SFERRUZZA, F; RICCARDI, I. Esoteric power, useless, useful: considerations about dreams in cognitive-behavioural therapy. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome. 2021; 24 (2): 130-137. https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2021.543. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2021.543

CASTANHO, P et al. Sonhar grupal: uma proposta para o trabalho com sonhos em grupo. Revista da SPAGESP, v. 23, n. 1, p. 59-70, 2022. https://doi.org/10.32467/issn.2175-3628v23n1a6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32467/issn.2175-3628v23n1a6

CASTRO, FAG de; WENCESLAU, LD. Abordando o sofrimento mental comum na atenção primária em 7 passos [e-book]. 1. ed. Viçosa: Editora Asa Pequena, 2023.

CHIAVERINI, DC (Org). Guia prático de matriciamento em saúde mental. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde: Centro de Estudo e Pesquisa em Saúde Coletiva, 2011. Available from: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/guia_pratico_matriciamento_saudemental.pdf.

DeCICCO, TL. What Is the Story Telling? Examining Discovery With the Storytelling Method (TSM) and Testing With a Control Group. Dreaming, v. 17, n. 4, p. 227-238, 2007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/1053-0797.17.4.227

FALK, DR; HILL, CE. The Effectiveness of Dream Interpretation Groups for Women Undergoing a Divorce transition. Dreaming, v. 5, n. 1, p. 29-42, 1995. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0094421. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0094421

FRANCO RS et al. Vivência de grupo de apoio em saúde mental na atenção primária: um relato de experiência. Rev Bras Med Fam Comunidade [Internet], v. 19, n. 46, p. 3901, 2024. Disponível em: https://rbmfc.org.br/rbmfc/article/view/3901. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc19(46)3901

GOODWYN, E; REIS, J. Teaching dream interpretation to psychiatric residents. Psychodynamic Psychiatry, v. 48, n. 2, p. 140–151, 2020. 10.1521/pdps.2020.48.2.140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/pdps.2020.48.2.140

HACKETT, M. A systematic review of therapist experience of dream working in contemporary psychotherapy. International Journal of Dream Research, n. 13, v. 2, p. 182-191, 2020. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2020.2.71162.

HEATON, KJ et al. A Comparison of Therapist-Facilitated and Self-Guided Dream Interpretation Sessions. Journal of Counseling Psychology, v. 45, n. 1, p. 115-122, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.45.1.115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-0167.45.1.115

HILL, CE et al. Working with dreams in psychotherapy. What do psychoanalytic therapists report that they do? Psychoanalytic Psichology, v. 25, n. 4, p. 565-573, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013539. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013539

IMBRIZI, JM; DOMINGUES, AR. Narrativas oníricas e a partilha de experiências (extra)ordinárias. Interface, v. 25 (Supl1), p e200805, 2021. doi.org/10.1590/Interface.200805. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.200805

KRAKOW, B. et al. Imagery Rehearsal Therapy for Chronic Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. JAMA, v. 286, n. 5, p. 537-545, 2001. doi: doi:10.1001/jama.286.5.537. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.286.5.537

LANDIM IDSP, TANNURE RAP; REIGADA, CLL. A experiência de um grupo de saúde mental para adolescentes na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Rev Bras Med Fam Comunidade [Internet] v. 18, n. 45, p. 3812, 2023. Disponível em: https://rbmfc.org.br/rbmfc/article/view/3812. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc18(45)3812

LIMULJA, H. O desejo dos outros: uma etnografia dos sonhos Yanomami. São Paulo, SP: Ubu Editora, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11606/1678-9857.ra.2022.197980

LUCCHESE, R. et al. Prevalência de transtorno mental comum na atenção primária. Acta Paul Enferm (Internet), n. 27, v. 3, p. 200-207, 2014. doi: 10.1590/1982- 0194201400035. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201400035

MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE. Recursos terapêuticos PICS. Official website [internet]. 2023. Available from: https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/composicao/saps/pics/recursos-teraupeticos.

MINOZZO, F et al. Grupos de saúde mental na atenção primária à saúde. Fractal. Rev. Psicol, v. 24, n. 2, p. 323-340, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-02922012000200008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-02922012000200008

MOTA, NB et al. Graph analysis of dream reports is especially informative about psychosis. Scientific Reports, v. 4, n 3691, p. 1-7, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep03691. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep03691

NUNES SS et al. Terapia comunitária integrativa: uma revisão integrativa. Braz. J. Develop. [Internet], v. 11, n. 11, p. e83668, 2025. Available from: https://ojs.brazilianjournals.com.br/ojs/index.php/BRJD/article/view/83668 DOI: https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv11n11-030

PENNA, C. O Sonhar Social e o Contar o Sonho: novas vias régias de acesso ao inconsciente? Cad. Psicanál, v. 35, n. 29, p. 11-26, 2013. https://pepsic.bvsalud.org/pdf/cadpsi/v35n29/a01.pdf.

PEROGAMVROS, L et al. The cathartic dream: Using a large language model to study a new type of functional dream in healthy and clinical populations. J.Sleep Res., e70001: 1-11, 2025. doi: 10.1111/jsr.70001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.70001

QUINTÃO, MAU et al. Prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns na atenção primária em um município de pequeno porte do leste de Minas Gerais. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, n. 5, v. 6 p. 23106–23119, 2022. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv5n6-104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv5n6-104

RIBEIRO, S. O oráculo da noite. 1 ed. São Paulo, SP: Companhia das Letras, 2019.

SANTOS, GBV et al. Prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns e fatores associados em moradores da área urbana de São Paulo, Brasil. Cad. Saúde Pública,n. 35, v. 11 p.e00236318, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00236318. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00236318

SÃO PAULO (Município). Secretaria de Saúde. Boletim ISA Capital n 13: Transtornos Mentais comuns na cidade de São Paulo. São Paulo: Secretaria de Saúde, 2017. Available from: https://drive.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/upload/saude/arquivos/publicacoes/ISA_2015_TMC.pdf.

SCHREDL, M. et al. The use of dreams in Psycotherapy: a survey of psychotherapists in private practice. The Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, v. 9, n. 2, p. 81–87, 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10793127/.

SCHREDL, M. Characteristics and contents of dreams. International review of neurobiology, v. 92, p. 135-154, 2010. doi: 10.1016/S0074-7742(10)92007-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0074-7742(10)92007-2

SILVA, PAS et al. Prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns e fatores associados entre idosos de um município do Brasil. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, v. 23, n. 2, p. 639-646, 2018. doi: 10.1590/0102-311X00236318. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018232.12852016

SPANGLER, PT; SIM, W. Working with dreams and nightmares: a review of the research evidence. American Psychological Association. n. 60, v. 3, p. 383-395, 2023. http://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000484. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000484

TRICCO, AC; LANGLOIS, Etienne; STRAUS, SE. Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization. Rapid reviews to strengthen health policy and systems: a practical guide [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017 [cited 2024 Apr 15]. Available from: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/258698.

ULLMAN, M; ZIMMERMAN, N. Working with dreams. 1 ed. Los Angeles, CA: Jeremy P. Tarcher, 1979.

ULLMAN, M. On relearning the forgotten language. Contemporary Psychoanalysis. v. 18, n. 1, p. 153-159, 1982. doi:10.1080/00107530.1982.10745683. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00107530.1982.10745683

ULLMAN, M. The experiential dream group: its application in the training of therapists. Dreaming, v. 4, n. 4, 1994. Available from: https://asdreams.org/journal/articles/4-4_ullman.htm. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0094415

VALLI, K et al. The threat simulation theory of the evolutionary function of dreaming: Evidence from dreams of traumatized children. Consciousness and Cognition, v. 14, n. 1, p. 188-218, 2005. doi:10.1016/S1053-8100(03)00019-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1053-8100(03)00019-9

WONCA. Core Competencies of Family Doctors in Primary Mental Health Care. Jan 2018. Available from: https://www.globalfamilydoctor.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/Groups/Mental%20Health/Core%20competencies%20January%202018.pdf.

WONCA. Working Party for Mental Health Guidance Paper 2017-10-10. Family doctors’ role in providing non-drug interventions (NDIs) for common mental health disorders in primary care. 2017. Available from: https://www.globalfamilydoctor.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/Groups/Mental%20Health/WPMH%20role%20of%20FPs%20in%20non%20drug%20interventions.pdf.

ZADRA, AL; PIHL, RO. Lucid dreaming as a treatment for recurrent nightmares. Psychother Psychosom, v 66, n 1, p 50-55, 1997. doi: 10.1159/000289106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000289106

ZORZI VN de, MARTINS S da S, MACEDO D de A, SANGIONI LA. Promoção de Saúde Mental na atenção primária: o papel dos grupos de saúde na perspectiva de usuários e profissionais. Interface (Botucatu) [Internet]. V 28:e230447, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.230447. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/interface.230447

Downloads

Published

2026-04-23

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 07 (2026): REMUNOM - ISSN 2178-6925

Section

Artigos

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Carolina Reigada, Sidarta Ribeiro, Rodolfo Deusdará

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits the sharing of the work with proper acknowledgment of authorship and initial publication in this journal;

Authors are authorized to enter into separate, additional agreements for the non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in this journal (e.g., posting in an institutional repository or publishing it as a book chapter), provided that authorship and initial publication in this journal are properly acknowledged, and that the work is adapted to the template of the respective repository;

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post and distribute their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their personal websites) at any point before or during the editorial process, as this may lead to productive exchanges and increase the impact and citation of the published work (see The Effect of Open Access);

Authors are responsible for correctly providing their personal information, including name, keywords, abstracts, and other relevant data, thereby defining how they wish to be cited. The journal’s editorial board is not responsible for any errors or inconsistencies in these records.

PRIVACY POLICY

The names and email addresses provided to this journal will be used exclusively for the purposes of this publication and will not be made available for any other purpose or to third parties.

Note: All content of the work is the sole responsibility of the author and the advisor.

How to Cite

DREAMS AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL FOR COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS: A REVIEW. (2026). REMUNOM, 13(07), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.66104/hvm4mn06