Nightmares: questions and Band 8 answers

Thankfully, not very often. I'd say I only get them once every couple of months, usually when I'm feeling quite stressed or run-down. Last month, for instance, during a busy week at work, I had a dreadful dream about missing an important train, but it's quite rare overall.

It's usually bizarre scenarios rather than monsters or ghosts. Most of the time, I dream that I'm being chased by something unseen or that I've lost my voice when trying to call for help. It tends to leave me feeling quite unsettled for a few minutes afterwards.

Yes, definitely. When I was younger, I had a very vivid imagination, so I'd frequently wake up terrified after imagining creatures lurking in my wardrobe. I suppose as an adult, real-life worries replace those childish fears, so my bad dreams are quite different now.

I usually turn on the bedside lamp, take a sip of water, and just try to catch my breath. If my heart is still pounding, I might read a few pages of a novel to distract my mind and reset before trying to drift back to sleep.

Without a doubt. If I watch a horror film late at night, those unsettling images tend to linger in my subconscious. A few months ago, I watched a psychological thriller right before turning the lights out, and I ended up tossing and turning all night.