Any Advice On How To Deal With Insomnia And Nightmares?

[Astrid_Shadow]

Hey everyone. These days I just haven't been able to sleep and when I do I have nightmares. Really horrible nightmares about stuff happening to my son, to my family, to myself and even to the world. I've tried medication that could knock me out but I still dream..any advice on how I can stay asleep and try and avoid my nightmares. I have been up for three days, I'm tired, I'm getting moody and I'm snapping at my family.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

Hey, Astrid. Sorry to hear about your sleep problems.

A couple of months ago, I started having really ugly apocalyptic-type dreams. Almost every night. During one of my EMDR sessions, my therapist and I did some dream work, instead. He helped me to understand that every single person in my dreams was some aspect of my subconscious, and that each aspect was trying to convey a message to me. Bit by bit, we picked out the messages, and since then, I haven't had another nightmare.

Is there any chance you could talk to a therapist? I don't know which province you're in, but the therapy might be covered.

 

[Astrid_Shadow]

Yeah Mal I do have a therapist, her name is Lisa. I haven't gone to see her in a while. Maybe I should. Also I'm in Ontario so I think I'm covered.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

It's funny how once you understand the mechanics of dreams, they become fascinating rather than terrifying.

I hope it goes well for you, Astrid. Keep us posted, if you can! :hug:

 

[Astrid_Shadow]

I will keep everyone updated, for sure. :)

 

[Panda Bear]

I take Prazosin to help with nightmares. Then I have to work through the ones I do have with my T and some EMDR.

 

[UniqueSunflower]

I agree in that when I was able to process the content in my nightmares through both Talk Therapy and EMDR they decreased. However, processing trauma can take a long time and I still get them every now and then, especially when I'm under a lot of stress. Trying to exercise regularly, practicing meditation, and other stress management techniques has helped me manage them to a certain extent. When I have weird dreams surface, I write them down and reflect on the underlying emotional content. As I'm writing them out, the symbolism and metaphors occasionally make more sense. I've done this with re-occurring dreams and they haven't surfaced again. Even though dreams can be upsetting and at times frightening, they serve a purpose in helping our mind work things out that it can't when we're awake. As I've practiced meditation, my dreams have strengthened my intuition and inner guidance in certain situations I'm being confronted with in the waking present.

 

[RobH]

Prazocin! It does help.

I take Prazosin to help with nightmares. Then I have to work through the ones I do have with my T and some EMDR.