The article reviews the literature devoted to the issue of sleep and dreams in the somatic clinic. Sleep is still a part of a human life, which has been little explored, especially from a psychological point of view. However, a detailed study of this issue will help in the further diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and somatic pathology. According to WHO, about 10 % of the world's population suffers from sleep disorders, and 5 % needs treatment, while about 30–40 % of all sleep disorders are complications of mental disorders (Aleksandrovsky Yu. A., 2000). However, in view of low demand of the population for treatment, in many cases the causes of sleep disorders remain undiagnosed. Sleep disturbances and difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, emotional dreams or nightmares are among frequent patients’ complaints (especially in somatic clinics) (Laux G., 2008). This review gives grounds for conclusion that the quality of sleep is one of the criteria for assessing the physical and mental health of a person, and dreams can serve as a "signal system" of somatic and mental disorder. The article describes various theories how sleep and dreams should be considered: from the point of view of psychology, psychiatry, philosophy, physiology etc.
Highlights:
• Almost every physical disorder hides underneath it a psychological cause.
• In a dream the unconscious tries to tell us about a disease.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy for sleep disorders has the highest degree of proof.
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