Nightmares!

[Blondina]

How do you stop the nightmares of your rape? I haven't been able to sleep more than 30 minutes at a time because of them. I am severely sleep deprived and am so afraid to go to sleep. I have called the psychiatrist and have been placed on Zoloft and Klonopin, but I seem to be more on edge than less. I feel so weak emotionally and cry most of the time. Please someone, any good suggestions on finding the sleep and peace of mind that I desperately need! Thank you all so much!

 

[snappy_turtle]

Have a cup of camomile tea while you read/watch something that makes you smile just before going to sleep. For me it's pictures of adorable little animals on a website called cute overload until I start to laugh or go "aww" for 10 minutes in a row.

That seemed to work for me when I was going through what you're describing. The camomile tea will help with the edginess and anxiety. The pictures or video will make you think of happy thoughts before you sleep and often times the last time we look at or think about before bed can work their way into how restfully/peacefully we sleep.
Hope that helps. Keep us posted if you find something that works for you. :)
Wishing you many restful nights ahead. (((((((((Blondina)))))))))

 

[Blondina]

Thank you, snappy_turtle, for your suggestions. I am going to defiantly try these tonight and then I will let you know how they've helped. :)

 

[Blondina]

Just wanted to let you know that the chamomile tea was really good. I put some honey in it so it was really sweet. I got out my thunderstorm CD and played that so that I would not hear my damaging self talk all night. The tea calmed my stomach jitters really well and hearing the thunderstorms was very soothing.
Thank you so much for the great suggestions.

 

[BloomInWinter]

Nightmares from trauma stop, or greatly lessen, once we've successfully processed our trauma. It gets easier.