Sexual Assault PTSD triggered after a dream

[Patricia]

Hi, it's the middle of the night here and after a little sleep I had a dream about my wife that strangely triggered my PTSD. My wife has been murdered last year and I myself have to face a rape and a stabbing.
It was a nice dream, I was cuddling with my wife, feeling her presence near me. I suddenly woke up and began crying and feeling anxious. I had reminiscences of the rape and despite the heat I covered myself with a blanket, staring at my wedding ring. It's starting to get better but it was some time that the rape didn't cross my mind.
I had to change my pajamas for pants and it was like after the incident. Flashbacks.
I took a pill for my anxiety.
It was such a nice dream and I woke up traumatized again and alone not knowing how to react. No more flashbacks but I think I m in shock, no more emotion, staring at nothing.
Is it normal when you have PTSD to be triggered just like that?

 

[Movingforward10]

Very normal.

You are dealing with so much and it hasn't been long since your wife was murdered.

It's totally understandable that having a lovely dream about your wife, only to wake up to the emotional pain of the reality can trigger the feelings of rape/trauma/grief.

Do you have a therapist?

 

[Patricia]

Hi, thanks for answering me.
What you say makes sense and it's reassuring. I don't understand how I sometimes react. And reality hits hard these days.
I don't have a therapist yet, I'm looking for one. It's scary to me because there's so many things I don't feel ready to face.