So, I don't really even know where to begin.
I've suffered from traumatic nightmares since I was 5 or 6 years old. In these dreams, I'm at my mother's place of work, and I am attacked and raped by one of her coworkers. I have had this same dream for the past 18 years. Some nights I'm lucky enough to sleep soundly, but most nights I wake up screaming, clawing, and crying.
My mother says that it isn't possible, that its just a dream. But it's so vivid and so consistent. And when I see the man from my nightmares, I experience panic attacks.
These dreams have caused years of anxiety and depression. And, like so many other girls, I let my depression weaken me, making me vulnerable. I ended up dating abuser after abuser.
I am happily engaged to a wonderful man. But I still have moments where I panic - if my fiance moves suddenly, or if I am alone with a man. I still wake up nightly from the dream.
I don't know what to do.
I've suffered from traumatic nightmares since I was 5 or 6 years old. In these dreams, I'm at my mother's place of work, and I am attacked and raped by one of her coworkers. I have had this same dream for the past 18 years. Some nights I'm lucky enough to sleep soundly, but most nights I wake up screaming, clawing, and crying.
My mother says that it isn't possible, that its just a dream. But it's so vivid and so consistent. And when I see the man from my nightmares, I experience panic attacks.
These dreams have caused years of anxiety and depression. And, like so many other girls, I let my depression weaken me, making me vulnerable. I ended up dating abuser after abuser.
I am happily engaged to a wonderful man. But I still have moments where I panic - if my fiance moves suddenly, or if I am alone with a man. I still wake up nightly from the dream.
I don't know what to do.
