General Dreams

[Sighs]

So, my combat PTSD partner has been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately. Not that unusual. But in the last couple of days he's admitted to having bad dreams - again, not that unusual. But this morning he told me that he has been having a recurring dream that I stabbed him. WTF? He says (sorta joking) that his dreams mean I am aggressive towards him. I just reply that they're not MY dreams so they're not representative of how I feel.

No idea how to comfort / reassure him in these circumstances. Any thoughts?

 

[InlovewithaPTSDvet]

Is that indicative of him perhaps just asking for some reassurance from you that you're for keeps? That he might just need some loving reassurance. I'd surprise him with something nice!

 

[Nam]

@Sighs I'm glad he shared that with you. I think talking about it is good. PTSD can do a terrible number on dreams. I had dreams that put whatever happened to me to my kid and all I could do was watch. That is all kinds of effed up but it is what it is. I tried hard not to put blame on myself for my brain to think such thoughts. It wasn't something I could help...

I hope that him talking with you about it has helped it break the cycle and he will no longer have it. I would talk with him more about it. "Maybe you dreamnt that because of this".....Talk it out. Once he understands why (and you too), it will no longer be an issue. Personally, I think it's because he's allowing himself to be vunerable by taking some of his defenses down so he feels more for you. But only he can really tell you.

 

[WillyKat]

Difficulty with trust is common if you have PTSD. You wonder if you can trust anyone, and that's when you're fully awake! When you're asleep and dreaming, nightmares or bad dreams speak to anything from real concerns to remote possibilities. So I agree with the previous posters that he may be asking for re-assurance and that the really positive thing here is that he brought it up with you.

 

[Friday]

Only the people I love have the ability to hurt me.

 

[InlovewithaPTSDvet]

Yes, I find letting him know that I'm here, no doubting, 100 per cent, my rock, makes a difference.

Never play those silly mind games some do in relationships.

He knows how I feel yet he still checks in covert ways for reassurance sometimes.

I'm conscious he worries he's a burden to me. I tell him I may get dementia and he'll be wiping my butt one day.......then we will be even!

 

[Can'tSleep]

@Sighs I'm glad he shared that with you. I think talking about it is good. PTSD can do a ter...

I am recently having dreams of my shooting event with family members in places of some of my platoon. Those specific dreams are the hardest to come out of.
Not trying b to take away from this post but, I actually have been searching for someone who experiences this too.

 

[Sighs]

@Can'tSleep - Welcome to the forum!

Just the other night my vet screamed out his son's name and then burst into tears (all in his sleep). I rolled over and held him and he woke up. He said his boy was there with him. No more details than that. But it sounds very much like what you are experiencing.

Are you in treatment? Have you visited the sister site mycombatptsd.com? Veterans only over there. Naturally you are welcome to be on both sites.

 

[Can'tSleep]

@Can'tSleep - Welcome to the forum!

Just the other night my vet screamed out his son'...

Very similar, indeed. Thanks, I will check the site out.

 

[sun seeker]

I often have dreams where people treat me way worse than they would ever treat me in real life. It's my brain's way of discharging fear, I think.

 

[Purplemunchkin]

It's weird how you become accustomed to things isn't it. I hate it when he's obviously having bad dreams, but I'm used to the shouting and swearing in his sleep. I cuddle him until he settles and then I go back to sleep.

A couple of nights ago I was woken up by him laughing. Not nice, happy laughter. A really creepy, unnerving maniacal laugh. That just freaked me out and I had to go and sleep in the other room! :nailbiting: