Can't Remember Nightmares??

[loui50]

Ever since hurricane matthew i have been waking up at least ever 1 to 2 hours every night. 1 of my traumas was hurricane Ivan in 2004, so matthew was a big trigger. When i wake up, i know i have been dreaming and may have a very vague memory of the nightmare, but i cant really remember it. For instance, last night was flooding. I know a dreamt about flooding, but i can't remember anything else. My T wants me to write the nightmares down but i cant remember them. Has this happened to anyone else? I just want a good nights sleep!! Sometimes i just know i was dreaming and have a foggy feeling in my head but no memory at all.

 

[Silver.]

I think it is important that as soon as you wake up, rather than try to process what it is you were dreaming, to just immediately start writing. Because our minds will often only hold onto our dreams for a few fleeting moments. I would keep a notebook and pen next to your bed. As soon as you wake up, start writing, don't worry if it's more thoughts or impressions than complete sentences.

The more you start to recall your dreams, the easier it will become. You will get to a point where you are more descriptive, having more complete sentences in your writing, and a much better recall. But it's important to start off with just the basics. Just give it time and don't let yourself get discouraged, every aspect of our healing takes time.
Take Care

 

[Muttly]

Yes, that used to happen to me all the time. It's less common now but it still happens. Even if I tried to remember as soon as I woke up, the dream is just not there. I think it started to change when I was more able to talk about the traumas in general. So my therapist did a lot of work around safety first. What happens if I'm talking and get badly triggered? How are we going to make sure that stuff brought up in therapy won't haunt me all week? etc.