Don't Want To Sleep Because Of Nightmares.

[ish675]

This is my first post here so please correct me if I misstep any guidelines. I was in Jail for 2 years and I keep having nightmares that I'm back. I'm not scared of jail, per se, I'm scared of loosing my family and freedom. Since I've been out, I've met an amazing woman, and had a son. I'm so scared of loosing them. When the dreams started I could recognize "dream signs" pretty easily and wake myself up. Now I have trouble waking myself up and it's like every night I go to sleep, I go back to jail ( and loose my fiancee and son), then wake up in a panic. I'm sure this seems so petty compared to other people's problems, but I think my fear is the same, that I loose my identity, my freedom, and my family. I smoke marijuana to suppress deams, (as well as recreationaly), but the effects wear off after the first half of the night and I dream in the early morning. At first I thought I was just having trouble sleeping, now I think that it's because I'm scared to sleep. It's like being forced to relive the worst emotional trauma I've ever experienced every night. Sleep aids, prescription and non, don't help, I'm tired and can sleep, I just don't want to. I keep procrastinating going to bed, 1 more episode of whatever, 1 more cigarette, 10 more minutes with my torch. My fiancee is really understanding and does everything she possibly can to help, but I know she just wants to sleep (at the same time) together. She says that it's okay that I stay up, but I know she wants me there. If anyone can relate or help in any way it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ms spock]

I relate a lot I lose it a lot at night time - one more post on the forum, one more song on youtube, one more episode of a TV series, one more thing to eat, one more thing of avoidance. I binge eat at night to suppress those feelings of fear and vulnerable.

 

[ish675]

I relate a lot I lose it a lot at night time - one more post on the forum, one more song on youtube, one...

I'm tired, I just want to sleep comfortably. I think I understand how you feel

 

[Gadgie]

My nightmares always come when I go into a deep sleep, sometimes it will go for weeks without one, but then I can get two in the same week?

So I suppose that the fact that I'm sleeping very well these days, is stopping them? I have to ask myself though, is it worth it?

I mean, after a few nights of not sleeping well, can really drain me to the poInt where I would trade a nightmare for a good nights sleep. But then again, that horrible feeling I always get when I wake up from one, is scary as Hell!

That's weird I know, but that's how bad it can get, does anyone else feel like this?

 

[mightyinkkedone]

I agree with how you feel
My thoughts an it are if I don't sleep I can't have
Nightmares
I know it's a messed up way to do it

 

[ChristineJensen]

Hey, do you take pillow to sleep? Just keep a knife or the small piece of iron under your pillow and go to sleep. I hadn't tried it but my grandmother's friend always use to say that by doing this, nightmares are invisible and we are protected from horror nightmares. Try this once. Take care.

 

[VBow]

This is my first post here so please correct me if I misstep any guidelines. I was in Jail for 2 years an...

Currently I am doing the same thing as you - eg procastinating about bedtime etc ... with the one further episode. And as I speak - I am being flung out of sleep in a blind panic about 5 times a night - which is hard!

However, in the lead up to Christmas - I was in the routine of going to bed at 11pm and getting up at around 8:30 and had far fewer of these episodes. Hence (after Easter) I will be returning to the better habit. I think being overtired (and wired) raises the risks.

 

[Meryl09]

I do believe having a good sleeping routine is important. How is it working out now? How much do you sleep? I try to sleep as long as 7 hours but I normally only sleep under 6. I am exhausted becuase of nightmares but also because of lack of sleep. Looking for a remedy.