Sufferer Severe insomnia and unable to nap after being threatened by a person with a gun

[raw472]

I was threatened by a person with a gun at night, and I didn't see who it was (it was through my window and they had a laser sight), but ever since that night my mind has been stuck in a "stressed state" non-stop (I believe this is "hyperarousal"). It's like my mind is stuck in a stressed state and still trying to "assess the threat" 'til this day. This has caused me to develop insomnia and I also can't "sleep in" or fall asleep for a nap (It is like my subconscious is afraid of being shot while I sleep during the day, even though consciously I know there's not a threat). So my situation may be a bit peculiar as the person who I believe did this I can't really report because I didn't see the person's face. The strange this is that I'm not afraid to sleep at night... just during the day. This event happened a few years ago so I've been dealing with this for awhile and was wondering if anyone may have ideas on how to get out of this "threatened" state. Currently I take 30 MG Remeron plus .25 MG Xanax at night to sleep, which gives me restful sleep about 50% of the time.

BTW, for anyone dealing with sleep issues because of PTSD... HIGHLY recommend low-dose Xanax (.25 MG) to help at night as it was what allowed me to start working again. I only take .25 Xanax each night and have no desire to take any during the day. And don't be shy about asking your primary care doctor for Xanax either as it is where I get mine.

So anyone know how I can get my mind out of this dang "threatened" mode? Is there some meditation that may help? Know if EMDR would even work in my situation (since my "trauma" was very simple and there's not much to "act out")?

 

[Riley Jones]

I'm really sorry to hear about the traumatic experience you went through. It's understandable that this incident has had a lasting impact on your mental well-being. I'm not a doctor, but I can offer some suggestions based on my experience as a trauma psychologist.

First and foremost, I would recommend seeking professional help from a therapist who specializes in trauma. They can provide you with individualized guidance and support tailored to your specific needs. They may explore different therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), or somatic experiencing, to help you process and manage the effects of the trauma.

In addition to therapy, there are some self-care practices that you may find helpful. Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation techniques can help calm the mind and reduce hyperarousal symptoms. These practices can be beneficial in regulating your stress response and easing your mind out of the "threatened" state.

Connecting with others who have experienced similar trauma can also be tremendously helpful. Sharing your experiences with people who understand what you're going through can provide validation, support, and a sense of community. Myptsd.com, a peer-to-peer support forum, offers a safe space for individuals with PTSD and CPTSD to connect and share their journeys. You may find it comforting to hear from others who have gone through similar experiences and can offer insights and coping strategies.

Lastly, while it's great to hear that low-dose Xanax has been helping you with your sleep issues, it's important to consult with your doctor about long-term use and any potential concerns. They can guide you on the best course of action and help manage your medication accordingly.

Remember, healing from trauma is a process, and it takes time. Be patient with yourself and reach out for the support you need. You don't have to go through this alone.

 

[Friday]

Curious if you’ve been examined for a ‘specific phobia’ diagnosis?

Just taking quick read through your past posts, whilst PTSD could fit? The treatments for PTSD & Phobias -especially phobias presenting as sleep disorders secondary to XYZ thing- are different enough that I’d hate for you to miss out of super fast & effective treatment.

 

[arfie]

in my own therapy sessions, feeling constantly threatened is called, "hypervigilance." my own case is atypically complex and i have an equally complex toolbox for dealing with hypervigilance. tactile grounding is the most used and most discrete of my tools. that is where i use my physical senses to bring myself back to the here and now. in my own case, my ptsd reactions has me looking for long gone dangers from people, places and things that are not currently present. bringing myself back to the here and now makes it much easier to spot any current dangers, if any. when my hypervigilance kicks in, i all too often feel threatened without current day cause.

but that is me and every case is unique. . .

steadying support while you work your own case.

 

[Sideways]

Welcome:)

 

[Movingforward10]

For me, it's using various techniques to believe and understand that the threat/situation/people are no longer here, and what I am feeling is not real now but things from the past that need to remain in the past.
So trying various things helps me:
Thought stopping (and saying things out loud to myself)
Counter messages (again saying things out loud to myself)
Breathing exercises to sooth the body
Writing down my worries in a notebook and putting it away
Exercise
Visualising
Tactile things like holding a little stone
Etc
Etc
Etc

For me, it was about training my mind and body into understanding I am here, I am safe, nothing bad is happening.

 

[raw472]

Curious if you’ve been examined for a ‘specific phobia’ diagnosis?

Just taking quick read through your past posts, whilst PTSD could fit? The treatments for PTSD & Phobias -especially phobias presenting as sleep disorders secondary to XYZ thing- are different enough that I’d hate for you to miss out of super fast & effective treatment.

I have no known phobias (and never been diagnosed with any mental health issues other than social anxiety). I never had any sleep issues until about 10 months after the event happened. I do acknowledge that I could have been paranoid about the situation, and maybe instead of me being threatened it was actually a stranger shining a laser/light into my bedroom (to possibly break in or whatever reason) since they saw a window to look through. But the person that may have did this (who I was a co-worker with for about 2 years and sat next to every day) is a pretty disturbed person that would tell us about his violent thoughts (and has a hard time getting along with others - particularly anyone that's not catholic/conservative), so I'm just making sure to cut off all contact with this person (so "flight"!).

 

[Ecdysis]

Know if EMDR would even work in my situation (since my "trauma" was very simple and there's not much to "act out")?

As I understand it "single event" relatively "straightforward" traumas are the most treatable by EMDR, so very much worth giving this a try!

 

[Friday]

I have no known phobias (and never been diagnosed with any mental health issues other than social anxiety). I never had any sleep issues until about 10 months after the event happened.

Yep, yep! That’s why I asked if you’d been evaluated for phobias… as they DO tend to follow the same course as PTSD, GAD, Insomnia (of many kinds, often secondary to a traumatic event), etc. Some versions of OCD, are also extremely/extraordinarily triggered/exacerbated by trauma, as are a double handful of other things.

A trauma specialist can usually ascertain which of the 2 dozen some odd disorders are in play, following trauma. But one of the (many) hints they would do is RO (rule out) phobias, anxiety disorders, etc.