I Don't Want To Go To Sleep Tonight.. :(

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It's 12:30AM right now and I really don't want to go to sleep tonight. I've been having really horrible nightmares that seem to last ALL night and when I wake up, I'm sweating and I feel like I'm about to have a panic attack.

I'm on Sertraline and I'm convinced it's a side effect of it. I remember talking to my old Doctor about it and saying I was so sure that they were causing them. She said I needed to weigh up the pros and cons and make a decision and of course, I chose to stay on it, so I'm suffering the consequences, as well as the good, I guess, as they do seem to do something that vaguely ressembles keeping me from rock bottom.

I'm watching a film and wishing the hours away. I know I'm going to have to sleep sometime though and that's also making me anxious. Vicious circle.

I need the nightmares to stop.

 

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2:20AM and I'm still awake. I seem to be getting more panicky by the minute too, which isn't great. I think it's because I know I've got to go to sleep sooner or later, but I keep getting snippets of nightmares I've had lately and it makes me restless and I can't relax. I'm listening to classical music in an attempt to keep myself calm and trying to force myself upstairs. I don't know if lying in bed watching a film could help. I'm exhausted, but I don't want to sleep. Actually, maybe it's more of a case that I DO want to sleep, I just don't want to dream.

 

[Deleted member 541]

There are other sleep meds that you can try. Why not ask your Dr to put you on something else.

 

[Audrey]

I have been having the same problem lately. I want to sleep and I can fall asleep but I am so scared of the dreams that I am afraid to sleep. Watching a movie or tv show that I like helps me sometimes. I think it is because my mind focuses on that instead of my past. Sometimes I actually dream of the movie which is much preferable to the alternative dreams.

I have also found that it tends to go in cycles for me. Right now I am in a nightmare cycle where I have the dreams every night, but sometimes I go through a period of time with none. One thing that also helped me with the dreams was doing EMDR, I do not know if that is an option for you now, but it has been helpful to me.

I hope you can get some peaceful sleep soon. You are not alone with this.

Audrey

 

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Thank you so much for your response. I managed to fall asleep around 3:30AM, but a nightmare followed and I woke up feeling rather upset, which was the emotion of the day. I'm having nightmares every single night and I can't stand it. I always fall asleep with a DVD on, as the background noise blocks out the noise in my head, if that makes sense. It's so tough to relax. I've cried for most of today, as I'm drained and ready for bed now, although, the idea of having nightmares doesn't help much. So horrible.
D/x