Nightmares Are Back

[munkinmama]

I am not sleeping well. In the past few months my nightmare and flashbacks are returning. I thought they were gone but they always return.I do not want to experience the being bullied ,abuse or the rape over again but I see and feel everything again just like it is happening to me once more. It is overwhelming to feel that helpless. I remain silent not telling anyone until today. My brother, roommate and kids would not understand. My kids are 12,14,15 and they have their own traumas they are coping with not fair to unload on them. I often wake up crying and a feeling of unease is how the nightmares start.The next night I experience the trauma over and over like a movie with the replay button broken. I am so tired of fighting and these nightmares, I usually only get if I am lucky 2-3 hours of sleep where i am unaware of my tossing and turning. I have tried sleeping aides but since I am sensitive to medications I have to be careful. All I want is to have a peaceful night sleep.

 

[FindingMyself88]

I am so sorry, I feel your pain :(. Have you worked on training Jellybean to wake you from nightmares yet? Bristol started doing it naturally. I think it's because I thrash around when I have a nightmare, especially if it's 1 of 2 nightmares… about roaches and about being raped. I think she thought I was playing, but I began rewarding her and now she does it anytime I start to move restlessly in my sleep, which indicates one is coming or starting.

I do want to thank you for not unloading all on your children who are young. My mom has Borderline Personality and so basically I am the mother emotionally…. everything gets dumped on me! I know you are not her and its a different situation, but thank you for thinking of your kids! I hope you don't take that offensively.

Have you tried sleeping with music on, or maybe a tv on with or without sound, or maybe some kind of white noise? I have found lately that sleeping with my TV on with no sound has helped me a little. At this point, when you only get 2-3 hours sleep, a little is actually a LOT!

I also bought a stress relief eucalyptus candle from Bath&Body Works that I light an hour before going to bed every night and then blow it out once I get ready to get in bed…it helps too. In fact it's about time to buy another!

I hope some of these tips will help!

 

[munkinmama]

I want to train Jellybean to wake me up but at the moment she thinks I am playing but will keep at it. I have contacted a trainer so will work with her. Lol I sent the trainer a long list of what tasks I need Jellybean to do. Oh no I have not tried the candle yet will have to try that. Thank you for the suggestions :)