Night Terrors (?) Getting Out Of Hand

[Seagreen]

For a few years now I've been waking up screaming and running outside in the middle of the night. It stopped for while and has begun to return again. I've always had long, vivid nightmares but these are different. They only last a few seconds. I usually think there is someone in the house. Most of the time I see a Man standing over my bed. I look again and he is still there. I get up and run outside screaming or cower in the corner. Then I sort of wake up properly and for a few seconds I'm confused. I realise afterwards that there is no danger but my body continues to believe there is for hours afterwards, my heart pounds and I cant sleep. I'd almost call it a flash back except that sometimes its not always a man. Occasionally I think the house is on fire which is not one of my traumas. This never happens when I'm awake.

What is worrying me about this is that for the first time the other night I didn't run away, I attacked. What really sacred me was there was that the "intruder" was actually my 9 year old son coming in because he had a nightmare. I thought it was a man coming through the door so I grabbed the door and slammed it into him with full force. My adrenalin was right up and I was really strong. Luckily he is ok but there was potential for him to have been seriously injured. I am terrified that it will happen again and that next time I might hurt someone.

I spoke to both kids about being aware not to sneak up on me when I am asleep. I'm also trying to stay relaxed at bed time as it usually happens when I'm home alone or when anxiety strikes. I made an appointment to see a therapist but they are closed until after Christmas now.

Do these sound like night terrors or something else? How can I prevent from accidentally hurting anyone or myself. I have a balcony outside my bedroom door which worries me too because I tried to jump out a window during one of my traumas a long time ago.

 

[blackemerald1]

Hello Seagreen, you mention that you have had traumas so have you been diagnosed with PTSD? Dumb question? I haven't been on the forum for a long time due to my own problems.

I do recall many years ago nearly bashing my toddlers head in with a baton torch in a state of night-time sleep terror and stopped just short of his head. He often slept in my bed. I too was having terrors that a man was sitting on my bed or standing at my bed. When I "saw" my son I thought it was a man in my bed. I could have killed him had I not broken out of my night terror (which is what I was told they were) I put the torch away, but on another occasion I became convinced there was someone hiding in my home so I trashed every room, cupboard etc., till I finally "woke up".

It is terribly distressing to go through. I still get them, IF I can sleep at all. Lock that window. Try to make a regular night time routine like locking up. Tell yourself in your head that you are safe, there are no intruders before you go to sleep.

I live alone now, but I still have a baton by my bed. I found sleeping medications tended to give me no sleep but increased my night terrors, so I don't know if that helps much. Could it be a medication you are on if you are on any? Anyway it sounds like extreme anxiety at the least. I do know that fear in your head especially at night is overwhelming and you are not alone.

I do not have an answer other than to say I understand what you are saying and I am sorry it is happening to you.
Kind regards,
Blackemerald1

 

[Seagreen]

Hi Blackemerald1, thank you for your suggestions. I am sorry to know that you suffer from these too because they really are so distressing. I don't sleep much anymore either. Your tips will be helpful, especially reminding myself I am safe before sleep as it seems to be triggered by anxiety. My bedroom has a glass door which I lock but last night I unlocked it and ran out onto the deck in my sleep. I'm not on any medication at the moment. I have PTSD. Is this a symptom of PTSD? I always assumed it must be.

 

[Casper1018]

I am sorry you are having such troubles at night. I don't know if you are open to medication, but I take a drug called Prazosin that is prescribed in people with PTSD who suffer from nightmares. It really helps and has no side effects. Just a suggestion. Take care!

 

[darrenS]

i am so sorry to hear of your pain, its one thing to have this monster inside of us, its another to try and cope with it. If it is possible i would try two things , the suggestion that Casper1018 made about Prazosin or alternatively one thing i have found for years that stops my dreaming, nitemares etc is marijuana - strangely it also helps me function. If your worried about being stoned and dont like it , then try the medical type that does not get you stoned. I have found its the only thing besides the clonipin and prazosin that allows me to keep a handle on things. You dont need to smoke continously or anything like that , if you do try it , just do it before bed. I hope you have good support , and i truly wish you all the best in getting a handle on it.

 

[joeylittle]

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/night-terrors/basics/definition/con-20032552

That's a pretty comprehensive link. It does read like you are having these, or something classed as a parasomnial disorder.

Because they are recurring and not isolated, and because you are in danger of harming yourself or others, I'd suggest you talk to your doctor about a medication sooner rather than later.

Not a whole lot is known about night terrors in adults, except that they can be brought on by emotional stress. But that is very likely related to PTSD.

Don't try an OTC sleep aid. If you are walking during your episodes, then you are a likely sleepwalker anyway, and things like ambien will really exacerbate the walking.

Seriously, this is one of those "talk to your doctor" moments.

 

[Seagreen]

Thank you for the responses. I will make an appointment with my doctor in the morning.