Abie-normal?

[Ohog]

My wife thought that I was just a regular kinda alcoholic because I was sneaking extra shots before bed. I told her that I drank more so I wouldn't dream. Of course that sounds like an excuse. So, I quit drinking. It's funny, but I thought that I would miss it but I don't. Now, just about every night, the dreams attack. I, either drench my side of the bed in sweat or wimper in my sleep. I don't think she really understands even though I've tried to get her to read up on PTSD. She thinks there is something wrong with me. Duh. LOL Last night I left a night light on in the mud room so I would have some light when I walk the dogs at Oh-dark-thirty. She thought that I was trying to use the light as a code for someone. Didn't even know what to say to that other than, nope, just want some light when I come down stairs. Of course her answer was, "Why don't you turn on the light when you go down?" "Briilliant!" Only, I want the light on before I get there. Nope, she doesn't get it. And, I'm glad that she doesn't. I don't want her to understand what it's like. So, I'll leave the light off and do the best I can. I reckon it's good for me to face my fears, right?

 

[Odab]

Sorry to hear that your misses is not into learning about what makes us what we are today. SHe could help you so much if she just took a look and read a few items.

I think most of us here can relate to the drink in some form. I found Alc and the Beast never mixed well in my case, not even to help me sleep, unless I was paralytic but even then the mind would work over time.

I don`t drink anywhere near as much as I used to, and my misses will pick me up on it if she see`s me loosing the plot.

What I did find that helped me sleep though, was something I only looked into last year. I was allways awake at the same time and some right weird f*cked up dreams. I saw a Natural Health Profesional (Witch doctor ;)) how had me doing Kinesiology and drinking some right disgusting fluids, to open the unconcious mind and reset the inner body.

I can not realy explain what it does, and each Doc, I have ever spoken to go`s about it in different ways, but I now sleep 7hrs straight, and my mind doesn`t wonder into f*cked up dreams anyway near as much as it used to.

As for the light! I can understand what you mean, but I can also understand where your misses is coming from.
If it is only so you have light to walk to the mud room would it not be an idea to put a light switch at the end of the hall (I assume you are walking down one to get to the mud room). Kind of hard to understand your layout of the house.

On the other hand you saying "reckon it's good for me to face my fears, right" sounds more like your afraid of something when it`s dark. I guess some people here will relate to that and be able to give you ideas to cope.

Unforunatly I am the exact opposite. I have a major issue with light at night. for me knowing that someone can see me lit up is a no go. So I walk around the house in the pitch black, swearing my head off because the misses or my nipper left something on the floor. I need to be able to see out every window onto the world outside and not miss anything. I know exactly how many steps from my bed to the stairs, how many steps, which ones creak how the moon shines through each window lighting up the room.........allmost OCD, you get the idea

I guess not exactly helpful, but at least you know your not alone.

tuppence
Anglesachse

 

[Efekoh]

Angle is right with what he is saying and from what your saying I don't think she understands what PTSD is at all which is very important. Why hide what your dreaming about, once she has heard a story or two she might be able to help you. You always have to keep them informed.

What concerns me is the whole nightmares still. I won't pluck a figure out of my arse but will go on to say that the majority of veterans find their nightmares diminish to next to nothing over the first year or so after they return home and quicker if they get therapy for them. The only time they reappear is usually when there is a major stressful event in their life or a lot of little ones. Unless of course you have had no therapy then your stress cup will be permanently full.

With regards to your wife mate, you could always try this video Link Removed
My wife said that was the most eye opening out of all the media she read. Failing that, have you ever considered taking her to a therapy session? And if you word the therapist up, he can ask questions about your nightmares and what you do to quell them.

Just my thoughts.

Jimmy

 

[Emifa]

A fifth of whiskey used to be my bedtime mate. Sleep of the damned even when I drank. I just had to face the beast. It took me longer than most to find my way. At least your doing that. Don't let little things like lights worry you much. I worry more about her attitude towards PTSD than a light. Marriage is teamwork just spelled differently. She needs to be on the same sheet of music your on or your doomed to fail. I failed in marriage for those reasons. (she was a bit psycho as well) I hope you can get her to look at that video as it does explain a lot.
semper fi
reddevil

 

[Kelin]

...What concerns me is the whole nightmares still. I won't pluck a figure out of my arse but will go on to say that the majority of veterans find their nightmares diminish to next to nothing over the first year or so after they return home and quicker if they get therapy for them. The only time they reappear is usually when there is a major stressful event in their life or a lot of little ones. Unless of course you have had no therapy then your stress cup will be permanently full. ...
Jimmy

Bingo!