Nightmares And Therapy

[bright future28]

Hi lovely people.. so i joined a womans group for rape survivors back in september after my one on one therapy finished. I suffered a few nightmares here and there when i was going to one on one therapy but nothing severe. Also iv not long ago upped my citaloplam dose to deal with the anxiety that lingers on during the day after the nightmared so at first i put the vivid intense nightmares all down to the meds as i know that can be a side effect. That was until i started to piece the nightmares together since joining the womans group for example last night i had a strange dream where i must of been about 16 ( the same time some of the abuse happened) and i kept covering my face with loads of makeup and my hair was at first dark then when i looked again it was blonde. Iv decoded these as the covering my face in makeup to hide from the truth of what really happened im trying to escape my self and also ever since the attacks iv dyed my hair brown as i was blond at the time so the dream was about trying to run from my self but me having to learn to be happy with myself and heal from the past. In other dreams iv been screaming at my mother over and over again iv put this down to a little part of me inside blaming her for not noticing the change in me and protecting me even though she had bo idea until recently when i finally opened up to her about everything. The question is does anyone else have these type of dreams since starting therapy and do they finally subside? I confided to one of the ladies in group and she said its another way of healing which is comforting to know.

 

[Panda Bear]

The question is does anyone else have these type of dreams since starting therapy and do they finally subside? I confided to one of the ladies in group and she said its another way of healing which is comforting to know.

Yes, and she is right. I was also told the same thing, and have experienced changes in my nightmares since starting to process the traumatic events. While I often get relief from the dreams, after a period of time they come back. Usually they are different in some way. Either more clear, or missing gaps appear. Maybe the voices change, or the faces become less blurred.

While it stinks, it can be helpful because it allows us to process what may have been missing.

 

[Gadgie]

I haven't had a nightmare for a few nights now, so I'm only hoping that it stays that way. I've realised that what we have to do, is make the best of them days while they are happening, and try not even to think about nightmares at all, and enjoy the peace.

 

[bright future28]

Thanks for your replies its comforting to know its all a part of processing :) x