Help... scared again - intense, violent dreams

[shatter eyes]

Help i am scared and restless and tired.

The last few nights the dreams have been more intense scary and violent. I was reminded of the car crash. I am starting to question my existence again and why i am alive.

Freak me out waking up soaking wet. Sweaty allover. Extremely uncomfortable and scared. Wanting to understand. Is a dream just a dream or is dream trying to tell me something.

What do you do when u get increasing realistic violent dreams?
Are you scared to sleep after waking up?

 

[IceQueencop]

I’m sorry you are going through this. Has this happened before? Your therapist may be able to help with dream re-scripting.
Less formally, when I wake up after having horrible dreams, I try to think about how I would handle the situation to better control the situation. It does take me awhile to get back to sleep, but if I’m able to come up with a plan after I wake I can generally shake that awful dream hangover feeling within a day or so.
My therapist says that if the dream is the reality that you lived through then you are not yet processing the trauma and integrating or storing it where it needs to be in your brain. EMDR or similar may be helpful.

If some part of the dream is different from the trauma, then you are starting to process, which is a good, but painful process.

Maybe write down your dream, and share it with your therapist, to see if re-scripting might help.

Best,
IQC

 

[shimmerz]

What do you do when u get increasing realistic violent dreams?

I thank god that I am working through it in the form of a dream rather than having traumatic re-enactment crap going on.

Are you scared to sleep after waking up?

Yes. I generally get up and move my body. It moves the musculature, which I have found to be a really helpful thing when stuck in night terror mode.

Is a dream just a dream or is dream trying to tell me something.

My T-doc, back in the day when I was experiencing these, focused on these quite a lot. I thought they were just dreams but he found great significance in them. He helped me see the link. For instance having a nightmare that someone was chasing me around the couch and even though I could see the door, I couldn't get there.

T-doc's take on that way my trying to get away from crazy people.

He was correct. Now that I am away from crazy people, I have no more night terrors. Poof!

Also, prior to sleeping I would create a safe place in my mind. It gave me a foundation for safety prior to drifting off. It didn't help all the time, but enough of the time that it made a tremendous difference in my life.

Very sorry you are going through this. It is so damned tough....

 

[shatter eyes]

Thank you. I will tell counselor and doc.

Thanks for sharing your experience too. I want to write more... but i am stoned from new cbd thc oil. Its kicking in... i feel it. I should reply again.. when i not buzzing out

 

[Lulu95]

Shatter eyes,

I am so sorry you are going through this. I have been taking Nyquil almost every night to help me sleep (I know it's not healthy, but it's better than not sleeping at all). I find that it helps me to not remember the nightmares and keeps me asleep for at least 6 hours. I wonder if that might help for you some nights?

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers in your journey!!!

 

[IceQueencop]

Lulu- please be careful with the NyQuil! The DXM is addictive, and in higher doses has a lot of qualities similar to PCP. Sleep is a big deal, but even with OTC meds, you do have to be careful.
Check with your doc, or consider something that’s just for sleep like Unisom or Zquil.
Take care of yourself.
IQC

 

[shatter eyes]

Thanks everyone. U know when i cant sleep i am here with you all. Its like we all hanging out. Yea LuLu DXM is sedating and knocks me out too but the next day i am still under its spell. It can be addictive please beware.

I should restart making a safeplace again. Thanks Shimmerz. I forgot about it and have been just waiting for meds to kick in.

ICQ, thanks for sharing and about the dream re scripting. I will tell counselor about dream rescripting.