Is there a sleeping disorder involving nightmares?

Ok, my best friend... Has been having nightmares lately. And they've been getting HORRIBLE... He can't sleep and he's gone 3 days without any sleep what so ever. He refuses my advice of going to the doctor and is taking nearly OD of sleeping pills...
Is there any disorder connected to dreams? Please... I need help with this! I love him and this si driving him crazy and I can't stand him like this.

What should we do?

Yes, Night Terrors. Also some sleeping pills can actually cause severe Nightmares so taking more can make it worse! Night Terrors is a name for a sleeping disorder that usually effects children but has been known to effect some adults too. It usually takes the form of a nightmare associated with the sense that something or someone ominous is in the room and the dreamer is paralyzed and must scream out but cannot do so. In real life the sleeper may actually be paralyzed and then begin flailing and screaming.
Going 3 or more days w/o sleep can produce psychosis in an otherwise mentally healthy person. I do not doubt that it is "driving him crazy" and you "can't stand him" this way. He needs psychiatric intervention asap.
Meanwhile you and I can pray for him. Never underestimate the power of prayer. It has been researched and found to work. I am praying right now.

Well I'm not a professional.. just studying to be one. I know there is a disorder called Night Terrors. It's most common in children but happens in adults, too. This is caused from trauma in a persons life. You need to talk to your friend and try to convince him to see a psychiatrist for this, and work from the inside out. Good luck!

change your style of sleeping i.e sleep with right side downward and dont put hand on your heart side while sleeping

Some people have terrible nightmares from past trauma. Sometimes people may not have a nightmare for years, and then run into the person who hurt them, or see a DVD that reminds them of their experience and the nightmares return with a vengeance!

If there is a common theme, and trauma is key part, consult with a therapist and M.D. is what I recommend.

If there is not trauma history, he should start with his M.D. and he may be referred to a psychiatrist.

1.If he belongs to a religion maybe he can ask the priest for some help,if for example he is Catholic.
2. This might sound silly but get him a (Dream Catcher) for it may get his mindset to think it will help keep his nightmares away, and it might help him.

tell your friend that he should check out narcolepsy. It is a disease that has many manifestations, not just fear of eating soup aka Duece Biggelo. Not only are night mares indicative of myriad problems mentally, from drug abuse to to organic problems to repressed memory, but they are also a symptom of things like narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. #1 thing to do, stay away from sleep aids, the rebound effect is almost torture.

PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) can be associated with nightmares and having a hard time sleeping, especially if he has had some significant trauma in his life and the nightmares are related. Otherwise it could be as simple as night terrors, but they usually go away fairly quickly.

Eating before bed can also cause weird dreams, tell him to avoid eating three hours before he goes to sleep or atleast tell him to try and avoid spicy, sugary and fatty foods before bed.