Hi my friend. I just ran into your post searching for similar information. A couple of years ago when my PTSD was really banging, I had bad nightmares (that I never remembered), night sweats, along with jumping and running in my sleep. My wife named the recurring symptoms as "the running man" and the "bouncy castle". The running man would have me at a full blown sprint, arms, legs pumping, breathing and sweating heavily. The bouncy castle was where I would just come up off the bed as if being bounced. I never remembered the events, so I didn't know if I was running towards or from something. Not sure what the bouncy castle was about.
This went on for sometime. I was in weekly counseling at the time and my T advised seeing a local hypnotherapist. He works for the police here and helps victims recollect facts that help the police catch criminals. I agreed. My mind was very open to any and all options to help. It took three sessions, but I never had the dreams after that. Until recently. I may need a tune up appointment with him. I am waking up exhausted and in a puddle of cold sweat all night, every night again. So the hypnosis did help me for a couple of years. Now I'm in search of a new approach.
Is this normal? Not for "normal" people, lol. But it looks like we are special. You are not alone in your issue, I assure you. I suffer from it as do many on this site. Unlike yours, I don't remember mine, so there is not an option to talk it out. I'm no expert, but it seems if you were able to do so in a safe, controlled environment, it would help to face the demons. That was my original intent with seeing a hypnotist. I was hoping he could tell me what I was running from or towards. Then I thought if I knew that, or he could help me see that, I could beat it. he tried, but I was never able to see the demons.
I'll be watching to see if some of the more experienced members might have some good advice for you. Thanks for sharing. That's a real good start.
