Can't Sleep From Anxiety

[superman1496]

This may be the wrong spot for this thread, so I apologize if so.

I am, and have been having, problem sleeping at night. It's not because of the nightmares (even though I have some horrible ones) it's because I fear that my abusers are going to show up in the middle of the night and do something. Since I left their house they haven't found me and tried to do anything, but I still lie awake most nights freaking out over a car door shutting, or hearing someone outside.

Even when I just start to doze off I sometimes will jump up awake because I will hear something. It's been a year, and nothing between them has happened, but I still have a very hard time sleeping. I have no idea how to fix this without turning to alcohol and/or drugs. Does anyone have similar problems, or even have some suggestions?

 

[Muzikluvr]

• Consider how realistic the fear is.
• Consider how much control you have over protecting yourself from it.
• Accept that you cannot protect yourself against everything that others may want to do to you.
• Relax, in the knowledge that you have done everything you can to protect yourself.

That is what worked for me. Yes, I drink at least a beer or glass of wine every night. But, I no longer imagine my abuser bringing his friends to my home to hurt me and my family. I have done all I can to protect myself.

 

[superman1496]

I don't know how realistic the fear is. Because my abusers are the type of people who if they had a bad day, for whatever reason, they would blame me for it all, and want revenge. Accepting everything you've said is a good start, although, not the easiest to do. And, if you knew me, you'd know relaxation is not my strong suit. :)

 

[Wordgirl]

I can relate. The other night my husband came into the bedroom and reached over me to get his pillow and I started screaming and fighting him off from a dead sleep. He was very apologetic, and obviously did not expect that reaction, but it happened. I have to take anti-anxiety meds and they help a lot. I think my brain is somehow rewired from all the trauma. Finding ways to cope - without killing ourselves with drugs and alcohol :confused: is a continuing battle. Don't despair. You are in good company, here.

 

[roxyripscurl]

Hey,

I have recent been diagnosed with PTSD because of extreme child hood sexual abuse. I've been also having issues sleeping but am not sure why. I'm trying to get my doctor to help me with perscriptions but its taking longer than usual. I have been drinking kava tea and that helped for a bit but it's no longe helping. I'm actually going forty to sleep since I've only had 4 hours of sleep.

 

[superman1496]

I hate how terrified I am. I have been a soldier, a firefighter and worked with law enforcement. But I can't get to sleep at night because of a 42 year old man and his 40 year old wife. It pisses me off so bad the power that they have over me after a year of being freed.

I need to relax. I'm getting too upset for my own good right now. Grrrrrr.

 

[evergreen]

Have you considered filing a restraining order on them?

 

[superman1496]

I have considered all kinds of things. But the consequences to their kids has stopped me every time. I should have called the cops, I should have filed a restraining order, something. But, everytime I think about it, I think about how pissed they will become, and I freak out about what will happen to the kids. I don't know what I would do if something I did had negative consequences on them.

 

[evergreen]

If you file a civil restraining order on them, more than likely it will just keep them from being able to contact you. You don't have to file criminal charges on them. And it is a statement from you to them saying "I sought legal protection from you because of the things you did to me. Those things were wrong, and you will never do them again."

It might do their children some good to learn that the way you were treated is wrong. What if they grow up to think it is ok to treat people the way their parents treated you?

 

[superman1496]

I don't know. I freeze up thinking of it. Just like I froze up when I had chances to escape. I don't know how to protect myself. I know what to do, but I don't know how to do it.

 

[evergreen]

There are domestic violence help centers in most areas. You experienced domestic violence. There are advocates there.

 

[superman1496]

Thank you. I will look into those. I don't see it as domestic violence many of the times. I appreciate it.