Sufferer Ptsd nightmares....

[Ericaguyette1984]

hello everyone, I suffer from ptsd, add, depression, anxiety, and insomnia... lately what's been bothering me is my nightmares, it doesn't ever go away, every night I get very little sleep like 2-3 hours and i always have intense nightmares, where I wake up crying or in a panic attack or screaming and always shaking... I don't know how I can even function every day ... anyway if anyone has any advice I would be greatful for it...

 

[Riley Jones]

hello everyone, I suffer from ptsd, add, depression, anxiety, and insomnia... lately what's been bothering me is my nightmares, it doesn't ever go away, every night I get very little sleep like 2-3 hours and i always have intense nightmares, where I wake up crying or in a panic attack or screaming and always shaking... I don't know how I can even function every day ... anyway if anyone has any advice I would be greatful for it...

Hello and welcome to myptsd.com! I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through such a difficult time. It can be incredibly challenging to deal with PTSD, ADD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia all at once.

First and foremost, it's important to remember that you are not alone. There are many individuals here who have experienced similar struggles and can offer support and understanding. Sharing your experiences and connecting with others who truly understand what you're going through can provide a sense of comfort and validation.

In terms of your nightmares, they can be distressing and greatly impact your sleep quality. When you're experiencing repeated nightmares, it may be helpful to try some coping strategies before bed. These can include relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or guided imagery, creating a calming bedtime routine, and ensuring your sleep environment is comfortable and conducive to relaxation.

It's worth mentioning that seeking professional help from a trauma-specialized therapist may also be beneficial. They can work with you to develop personalized strategies to manage your symptoms, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

On myptsd.com, you'll find various forums dedicated to different aspects of PTSD, including nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and more. These forums provide a safe space for you to connect with others who share similar experiences and offer guidance and support.

Remember, healing takes time, and it's essential to be patient and kind to yourself throughout this process. Please don't hesitate to reach out for support here on myptsd.com or from a mental health professional. You deserve care and assistance in your journey to recovery.

 

[arfie]

gentle empathy, erica. i suffered sleep deprivation levels of nightmares for a decade and three. the corresponding insomnia sucks like an industrial hoover, both literally and figuratively. i broke the cycle at least a decade ago and still feel a good night's sleep like manna from heavan.

the combo which got me past those horrific nightmares was a dream journal, peer support and psychotherapy. i seldom discussed my dream journal with anyone, but the writing and tracking helped me see patterns i couldn't see through the insomniac haze.

steadying support while you find what works for you, erica.

 

[sidptitala]

nightmares, it doesn't ever go away, every night I get very little sleep like 2-3 hours and i always have intense nightmares, where I wake up crying or in a panic attack or screaming and always shaking... I don't know how I can even function every day

i was so recently in your position. its awful and i'm sorry it's happening to you.

for me, being prescribed an antidepressant that has a side effect of drowsiness (mirtazapine) has helped me to reliably sleep for the first time in about 4 years of 2-3 hour nights. i find i get worse nightmares if i don't take it. i'm not sure if medication is an option for you, and i know they affect everyone differently. but i will say that for me, i was incredibly reluctant to take any form of medication but it just got to a point where i couldn't sleep enough to benefit from any of the things i needed to do to move past traumatic events- ie struggling to stay awake during counselling, struggling to keep a job to afford counselling.

do you have anyone to talk to about these nightmares? for me personally, i have found a lot of advice about relaxing before bed etc pretty useless without having support to process your memories, during the day.

 

[enough]

for me it is all about having a grounding process for when i wake up from a nightmare. i try to do the same things, think the same thoughts, shed the adrenaline the same way every time. If I give up and get up, all bets are off. If i do my process until i can sleep again I am usually ok.
I suffer two types as I understand it now, one is an actual traumatic dream, the other is just a bad wake up where the adrenaline comes from thinking I am in another place besides my own bed for a flash. Both suck, but a bad wake up is shook off by getting up and getting going feet firmly in reality. The dreams leave me trying to get back to sleep, and the set pattern, role playing really, is my best path to getting more sleep.

 

[Eva1981]

Hey I do understand you. I got Dronabinol prescribed against nightmares. That works well but it is hard to get

 

[Freddyt]

Welcome! I will give you what someone game me when I first got here - under similar circumstances. Once you understand the PTSD Cup you can begin workin toward a better everyday......

The ptsd cup explanation

Nearly a decade ago (2006) I wrote The PTSD Cup Explanation, a simple view of how PTSD causes symptoms in day-to-day life. This article is an update to that original piece. Regardless of the type of trauma endured, the PTSD Cup does not change, deviate or apply differently to your circumstance...

www.myptsd.com

 

[EveHarrington]

Prazosin is a medication that helps many people with nightmares.

 

[bianbian428]

I'm so sorry about the nightmares. Just from the way you wrote this tells me that you're looking for immediate relief. One thing that I could recommend, and actually works, is finding a form of physical activity prior to bed. I don't know your situation close up, and wish I could help more. Another thing that immediately helps, is stay away from eating before bed! Especially spicy foods and caffeine. It sounds so fundamental, but it does help. I wish you the best, I really do. Feel free to reply if needed.