Harmful Waking Nightmares

[recoveringfromptsd]

I continue to have waking nightmares (ones that continue after I wake up from them), both in the hospital and recently I had many that are extremely violent in nature, and with me being the aggressor. This is very scary.

 

[Werewoman]

I know what you mean. I'm guessing that, like me, one of your biggest fears is hurting others. It could be manifesting itself by coming out in your sleep, and at least in my case, the fear carries over into wakefulness and I have to force myself to fully awaken. Do you dissociate during these episodes? Just curious because I have a few times. Man, those are the worst.
I don't know where you are in your recovery, but I've gotten past the nightmares for the most part - well, up until last week - my anxiety and depression got so bad I guess I basically regressed. I don't know if that happens to most people or not. I never really thought about it.
I hope it gets better for you soon.
:hug:WW:hug:

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

not far, I was never treated for PTSD until I went to SP TDU, I still get the FB but I can stay grounded most of the time. But recently I have had some episodes where I started to disassociate. I am not sure about it happening with the nightmares. Problem is with disassociating is I often hurt myself or I shut down.

 

[Werewoman]

Same here. During one of my disassociative episodes last year, I picked up a large barrel smoker and threw it onto the brushpile nearby. I have NO recollection of doing it, and even asked my husband why the smoker was in the brushpile. I'll nevee forget the look on his face! my usual MO is to just shut down, tho. That day I was in a full blown blind rage brought on by a flashback, but I couldn't tell you what set me off.
Oh well, I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed the show. Lol!

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

These nightmares continue, my ceiling projected image did help me to ground when I woke. The last one had that comedian Gabriel Iglesias in it as the leader of a gang who was after me. All these dreams seem to have a common theme, sometimes I am the aggressor defending myself sometimes I am not the aggressor and trying to get away. But they always seem to have a gang component.

The content I can relate to my abuse, I just wonder what my mind is trying to resolve with this theme.