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Dream Fighting; The Feather Punch

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Spekx

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Ok so I frequently have nightmares associated with my PTSD. Sometimes in these nightmares I am attempting to run away and sometimes I decide to stay and fight against impossible odds. Many times when I choose to fight, I go to throw a punch and it's like I am moving in slow motion, when I finally make contact its like I barely hit the guy. As if I tried to injure him by hitting him with a feather. When this happens no matter how many punches I throw all of them are feather punches.

Do other people with PTSD experience this specific dream phenomena?
 
I have had similar content in my dreams in that I am trying to defend myself and fight back but my punches are like air and they have no impact whatsoever.

I've been awakened by someone from sleep before where I have punched them (while not fully awake) and made a very big impact too. Lol. Both times I'm sleeping and punching... Seems kinda funny now that I think about it.
 
That used to happen all the freakin' time! Now that I've been working on my confidence and ability to fight in awake-life, its better, but when i'm feeling especially vulnerable my punches won't do anything to my enemy in dreams, they just stand there and laugh at me while my fists bounce off. Its frustrating, but tied into your feelings of helplessness.
 
but when i'm feeling especially vulnerable my punches won't do anything to my enemy in dreams, they just stand there and laugh at me while my fists bounce off. Its frustrating, but tied into your feelings of helplessness.

Yeah but its more like helplessness squared. I am already helpless in the sense that I am vastly outnumbered, but then I am additionally helpless because I lack the ability to even hurt one of them.
 
Oh yes. More often I dream I am landing good square shots and they are having absolutely no effect. Or running and getting nowhere, not catching anyone, not escaping anything.

Very similar to the feelings I had when I was young and rejecting my parents cult religion. There was no way even my best ( and they were pretty good for my age) arguments made even a slight impact on them. I would talk philosophy with teachers and librarians, read the books I was recommended, and prepare an argument that would be based on current circumstances when they eventually arose and wait. Finally I would get to make my point and they would ignore my logic and discount my reasoning and then punish me for not being a zombie like my Stepford stepsisters. That kind of ineffectiveness and loss of control of your own life leaves deep scars, and the dreams where I am ineffectively throwing feather punches are, in my opinion, the result of that time in my young life,
 
Nightmares, where do I begin.I very seldom remember them, unfortunately, they are all violent. What little I do remember they are violent and refer back to the trauma in the military.
Unknowlin ,I even kicked my wife during one of the nightmares and busted her lip, not real severe but it still happened.I do not believe in abuse in any way shape form or fathsion. To me that is abuse to her or even an assult. Awake that would not have happened or even considered.
The last nightmare of what I remember was assisting the pows out of Viet Nam. All night mares and violent kicking, sometimes mumbling, or screaming about performing different manuvers and attempting to perform them as efficient as possible even though they are still in the defense or fight mode and attempting others to remain in the fight mode and not go to the flight mode.
I wish they would stop. I doubt if they will especially after over 40 years of them.
I understand what everyone is experiencing. The stress is no fun. If by some fortunate chance or opportunity I am offered a solution I will post the solution. However, I do not see that opportunity happening. I do wish I could give yall some comfort, but rest assured I am and will support you. Just remember you are not in this alone but try to maintain positive thoughts and and be assured there is support and always will be with you. Not by me alone but, from all who experience the same way.
I know how hard it is to remain positive and maintain self esteem, however, we all suffer from different experiences but yes we are still members of society. We all have the ability portray positive influences in society, even if others do not understand. God bless each of you and I pray your lives will improve.
 
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