Sleep Interrupted...

[SandyW]

I know this is going to sound wierd, but this is what's been going on. In the wee hours of the morning, my husband grinds (actually grind is too mild of a word, maybe gnashes) his teeth, has tears pouring from his eyes and such an angry face, like he is tortured and would kill someone. When I wake him, he is very angry at me for waking him. Its not that he just doesn't like to be woken out of a sound sleep, as other times I (or the kids) have woken him without an issue. The past several times I've noticed this is followed by him acting out in the near future (drinking binge). Do I approach this? I really don't want to take a wait and see attitude toward this as the drinking binges are very damaging to us both. What is the best way to talk about it? Anyone experience anything similar?

Sandy

 

[Sick Puppy]

I am sure he is probably having nightmares of his abuse. Perhaps being woken in the middle of one leaves the thoughts/memories too close to the front of his mind, instead of them fading into another dream as often happens during uninterrupted sleep and going to the back of his head where he can deal with them better. See if he is still angry if you let him sleep until he has been calm again for a while.

 

[Cement]

I have experienced night terrors, with kicking, punching, apnea, etc.

This is a common side effect of sa - at least when I mentioned my problems on a post, my feelings were echoed by many here.

Does your husband come on here? This is the best place to feel that we are not alone.

 

[Mike Church]

I, like Cement have had nightmares for the past 5 years and I have ground my teeth since I was 16, sometimes so hard my jaw aches. It is common among sa survivors.

As Cement says this would be a good place for him to talk with others about his abuse if he is up to it. Do not pressure him into it. Maybe he could just look around

I know that there was a time that I felt I was all alone and the only one it happened to. Since coming here my healing has actually accelerated.