Night terrors and the morning after

[Enaila]

I get my finger nails done with soft rounded tips, so I'm less likely to injure myself in my sleep during night terrors. I had two days without the fake nails and woke with deep scratches all over and marks in palm of my hands from clenching my hands. I hadn't realized how severe the night terrors were still until those two nights with my thin normal fingernails.

 

[Chelcea]

Oh im so sorry you are going through this. I suffer myself so totally understand and how they make us...

I had one last night and im still feeling exhausted. Therapy has a lot to do with my nightmares. I'm working through a lot right now. I can see in my dreams all my insecurities, my low confidence... Its being worked out through dreams. And they are so emotional

 

[ChanandlerBong]

I'm having such a tough time with my night terrors. They are what sets the tone for my day. And its usu...

Unfortunately there is no easy way to just put a stop to the night terrors, but I will say trauma therapy has helped me a lot. I still wake up during the night a few times, but I’m no longer waking up in a full blown flashback. My therapist also suggested to just get up and do something right away, which may sound silly if you’re trying to go back to sleep, but just going to the bathroom or getting a drink of water can help distract and pull your body out of it. It’s not 100% effective, but sometimes it does help. And I suggest if it is in the morning to just get up and start the day, which is also easier said then done. Some days I’m so paralyzed from my night terrors and can’t snap out of it. But keep reaching out for support and journaling can also be beneficial. I’ve also been told to change the outcome of the dreams to where I fight back or I get away, whatever is going on, try to spin it. Hope this helped a little

 

[Elmez]

I was just now having a very disturbing episode and fortunately the bell went off (I'm at the fire station) for us to handle a call, stopping the nightmare. Now I'll be unable to sleep for awhile. When this happens, usually the nightmares return, even though I was up doing something else for some time. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

[shatter eyes]

Yes i get that too. They return. Theme is same or similar upon going back to sleep.

I wonder is it the brain or the spirit that is behind the nightmares.

 

[Elmez]

Yes i get that too. They return. Theme is same or similar upon going back to sleep.

I wonder is it the brain or the spirit that is behind the nightmares.

Yes, quite similar. What is your take on the spirit behind the nightmares?

 

[shatter eyes]

I have heard in in alternative theory that nightmares can be caused by our spirit (our life force) energy being blocked. Blocked mentally...emotionally.. morally that is creates a build of frustration. The nightmares act as a purge.

Now that i think of it... it is like the game tetris when the blocks dont fall into place and pile up.

This is why i try not to avoid nightmares after waking up. I go back hoping it will go away.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

Have you tried having your doctor proscribe prozasin, its a BP med, that has a unique side effect that is used for off label proscribing. It suppresses night terrors.

A while back I was experiencing them a lot, so much that my adrenaline level was high and never went do. It was like being in fight/flight all the time. I finally relented and let them put me on it (I had declined it before). Took care of the night terrors, and I could function again.

 

[digger]

@Chelcea - please log in to your account to reply. Thanks.

 

[T2L]

I woke in panic 3 times last night from different versions of the same nightmare. Each time it took me about 30 minutes each time to calm down and convince myself it wasn't real. I'm definitely blah, angry, and confused today. The nightmares were on a topic I *thought* I worked through and was over...I guess not. It's annoying how your brain has a mind of its own while you sleep.

I forgot about prozosin and doxepin... Both helped with nightmares for me in the past. When it was really bad I took both, but prozosin made my already low blood pressure even lower. Just the doxepin helped as well though.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Clonidine helps nightmares as well. Helped to settle down my sleep some. Not all the way but some.

 

[PiggyBack]

Have you tried having your doctor proscribe prozasin, its a BP med, that has a unique side e...

Prozasin moved my night terrors to night mares. Instead of just waking in a sweat with my heart pounding, I'd actually remember what it was that had my so upset.

For the OP, I recommend waking yourself up completely and try to break out that dream. I take daziapam and propanalol. Turn on the lights, walk around, Convince myself that the dream wasn't real or at least it was something from the past. I'd read or watch TV.

If I don't do that, the dream haunts me all day and I feel the anxiety from it lingering.

One dream was that I'd be completely convinced that I was still married to my abusive spouse. I'd wake myself up. Convince myself that I was divorced and this demonic person was out of my life. Sometimes, I'd have to get on the computer and look at my divorce papers to convince myself.

Just do what it takes to break out of your "dream reality".