Keep Doing Dangerous Things Through The Night When I Dissociate.

[super_saiyan]

I'm having extremely difficult nights. I dissociate every night, and I keep coming around about 5am having realised I've tied ligature points, cut my self, bruised myself, and this morning I found myself choking on my pillow case. I don't know how this is happening, it is getting worse as I am trying to increase my fluids intake and having to break my own OCD rules. I am really worried I will end up doing something that I don't want to do and not be aware of it. I have tried to minimise risk in my room (including taking wardrobe doors off to minimise ligature points) but I am awaking with cut up fabric and clothes and being completely naked.

I am scared. If anybody can relate and has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

 

[Theresa1122]

I'm having extremely difficult nights. I dissociate every night, and I keep coming around about 5am...

Saiyan: This sounds absolutely terrifying! I'm glad you're aware and seeking help. Have you changed any medications lately? I know one of the sleeping medications I tried made me do some strange stuff in my sleep that I had no memory of when I woke up. I would definitely talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Do you live alone? Maybe sleep on the couch instead of your bedroom to put yourself in a new place? Maybe have someone watch over you at night - a friend or relative that can stay or several that can take shifts? I'm trying to come up with ideas. Please keep me posted. You can get through this - you are strong!

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

May be a Parasomnia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasomnia

 

[Ocean5]

I feel so bad for you!! Can I give you a *hug*?

Can't relate to that degree, but understand the fear with dissociation. I will tell you it's a fear of mine. I make sure there are no knives out before I go to bed, and put anyway any strong medicine that can cause harm if I dissociate. Almost like my mind is telling me to take precautions to protect myself. I've had incidents of waking up with facial injuries, bruises, small cuts on knuckles, among other "weird things"... But for some reason past 2 years really afraid of what happens to me at night....

Could it be a medicine you are on making this worse? Might want to see what is new past few months, and talk to doctor. I know some medicines caused me to dissociate a lot more. But I'm sensitive to medicine.

 

[joeylittle]

I've been in this situation.

The most practical thing to do is to absolutely clear your room (or sleeping area) of anything that you can use against yourself, and to lock yourself in.

The more effective thing to do would probably involve having someone be on watch whose job it was to ground you.

And the safest thing to do is to get into a sleep study as soon as you can. Heavy night drugs could help in the meantime, but they aren't a guarantee.

What I do: mostly the danger-proofing, and also I've had success with pans of water on the floor around my bed, where I'd need to step in order to get up. But I'm a sleepwalker, and I think you are describing something a bit different. You could try it, see if it shocks you out of dissociation.

It's dangerous stuff, though. If there is someone who can help, it'd be good.

 

[super_saiyan]

Saiyan: This sounds absolutely terrifying! I'm glad you're aware and seeking help. Have you chang...

My consultant is point blank refusing any medication. I have heard that things like clonazepam could help but he is so adamant that he's not going down the medication route.

I live with other people but none that I would be comfortable asking for help/monitoring from. I have tried to sleep in a different room with literally just a matress and pillow but then ended up nearly choking myself with the pillow completely unaware. This morning I 'awoke' with remants of broken glass around me and I had cut my hand and knees. I have removed all glass from now on, but even mirrors are dangerous. I'm really scared and feel like I'm losing it.

Thank you for all the replies.