nightmares (trigger?) probably.

[puppy]

do the nightmares ever go away?

ive had them every night for the last few weeks. and not just a dream where you wake up scared and go back to sleep. i wake myself up crying in my sleep. i wake up shaking and hyperventilating and i cant just turn on the lights and make it go away because im convinced hes in my room or in my house. and that feeling doesnt go away. its complete panic. and i cant go back to sleep. i clean my house, watch tv, anything to divert my attention. i cant go back to bed. because i can feel his hands all over me. i NEED more sleep, but i cant sleep more. im afraid to close my eyes because i know whats coming. but im afraid to stay awake because i cant function anymore. ive already taken too mjch time off work and cant afford to keep doing it but when i go to work im a zombie, im not even there. i wonder why they havent fired me yet. i am living alone right now and i kinda thought id like it, since my roomie was...well....she sucks. but now that its just me, im scared. i like hearing the sounds of someone else here. her music , her laughing. yeah, it all annoyed me. but when id wake up at night so terrified, it was somehow comforting to know that that someone else was here. im just scared. and it sucks.

 

[roadrunner]

Hi Puppy,

This isn't a professional view, but for a real fix this sounds like something that should be referred to a therapist if you have one. When you are sleeping your mind is taking the opportunity to go places you won't let it deal with otherwise.

Immediate patchwork fixes. 1) Try sleeping with a small light on, so if you awake you can see he's not there. 2) A stuffed animal. Those things are great! 3) Have you tried playing soft relaxing music that you like, and leaving it on when you go to bed? 4) Do you have a pet - a dog or cat. Both of those get up and roam around at night and you may be triggering because of that. If you have pets, try closing them out of your room.

If you wake up in a terror I would say it's important to not wake up in the dark fumbling for the lights when you "know" they will show he's right there. You need to be able to awake, look around, and then focus on what's real. The feel of the floor under your feet, your hands on the covers, the taste of a glass of water perhaps. Breathe slowly through your nose and feel the air. Perhaps make a list of things you like or that bring you happiness, and keep it by your bed. Or pictures of special happy occasions.

Just some ideas. Hang in there - this is a rough one.
Larry

 

[Little_E]

Hi Puppy!

Nightmares...They suck!!

But I see where you are coming from, I been there. When I was a student, last year, I was alone in the house for 3weeks while my housemates went home for easter hoils but i had final year coursework and a Disatation to write, so i stayed. And knowing that i was the only person there scared me, specialy when things went bump in the night, and there was no logical answer to them. I was glad when they came back...Even thou I couldnt stand them either it was better with them there.

But I still wake up every morning in a cold sweet, or wake up at stupid O'clock and then dont go back to sleep. But Being an Insomic for nearly 6years to now, needing sleep every night in order to function, facing my sleep demons and hoping that tonight i wont wake up, that i wont dream(nightmare).

Do they ever go away...I dout it! I just someone out there can prove me wrong!? PLEASE??

Elliot!