I Feel Silly Being Scared

[Bees Are Awesome]

My parents are staying at my house for two weeks to spend some time with their grandchildren. We don't have a spare room so my parents are sleeping in my room and I am sleeping downstairs on the couch. (My husband and kids are also upstairs.) It was my suggestion and I don't have any problems with it. I want my parents to be comfortable.

My problem is...I am a grown-ass woman in her 30s and I am scared to sleep down here. My logical brain says, "Hey Unraveling1, there is nothing to be afraid of. Sweet dreams." but my PTSD, OCD and addict brains say, "Nooo! Danger! You can't sleep alone down here! Aaaaaaaahhhhh!"

Here are the absurd reasons I am scared:
1. There is no curtain on the window on the front door. Someone could look inside and see me and try to come in.
2. I feel far away from everyone else.
3. I won't be able to sleep and my mind will race all night.
4. I am in an unfamiliar place and will get startled all night by the unfamiliar sounds.
5. Everything is scarier in the dark.

My therapist says that being scared about sleeping downstairs isn't absurd but a normal response to an abnormal situation based on the traumas I've been through. Still, I just feel embarrassed and ridiculous. Thank you PTSD.

I'm going to go try to sleep now. Fingers crossed. Thanks for letting me share.

Am I being ridiculous? Can anyone relate?

 

[hodge]

I don't think you are being ridiculous, Unraveling. I have a really hard time when my husband is away in the evening volunteering. I'm afraid something bad is going to happen. Thankfully, he doesn't have to do it very often. But next month he has to be away overnight to give a talk out of town and I am just dreading it. I hope you can sleep.

 

[Flossy]

Don't do it. Go buy a blow-up bed and sleep in with your husband and your kids.

 

[feelgoodinc.]

It is not ridiculous lovely. Many people experience these feelings when sleeping alone in an unfamiliar place. It is an evolutionary tool we use so we don't get eaten by the naughty lions :) It is just amplified when you have PTSD. I still have similar feelings when my partner is right next to me in our own bed!

Don't do it. Go buy a blow-up bed and sleep in with your husband and your kids.

Yes, this is a great work around. Then you won't miss out on snuggles :)

 

[EmmaDancing]

It's not ridiculous to feel scared, not at all. I feel like that all the time at night. To me it seems like a -stupid and annoying, yes- but also natural response for someone in your situation.

 

[PtsdEdu]

My parents are staying at my house for two weeks to spend some time with their grandchildren. We don...

Ever be embarrassed this is not something you can just this know your way put of. Your therapist is correct. Stay focused and keep reassuring yourself when the nerves creep in. You just have to fight them back and sounds like you are doing that. Never be embarrassed. Would you be embarrassed if you had issues with your pancreas instead? ;)

You are doing great.

 

[Neverthesame]

If it helps, I am a grown-ass man and I am afraid of the dark.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

If you're ridiculous, then the entire PTS disorder is ridiculous. We are scared for no "rational" reason all the time. Perfectly normal within the realms of the disorder.

 

[Bees Are Awesome]

Thank you all so much for your responses. It's nice to know others can relate. I managed to get a couple hours of sleep on the couch. I had to sleep with a light on though. Hopefully tonight will be a little easier and I will get more sleep.

 

[hodge]

I'm glad you got at least some sleep, Unraveling. I would need a light, too. Good luck tonight.