What Do You Do When Meds Don't Work For Nightmares?

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I have not been able to find a medication to help mine at all. My T says that sometimes even the strongest meds can't override the brain. I try to stay on a normal sleep schedule, take a warm bath immediately before bed and listen to classical music when I go to bed. It doesn't always help - I'll be honest - but sometimes it does.

I know how frustrating it is to not be able to sleep - and how much it effects your symptoms - its a bad cycle (you don't sleep, symptoms get worse, then you still can't sleep.......).

If it were me (and remember this is only my opinion) - when I awake from a nightmare - I get up (obviously I'm not going to go back to sleep) and start my sleep routine back over again (warm bath etc.).

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I've studied nightmares and dreams for almost 5 years and compared mine to other people's opinions, and I truly feel that constant nightmares are caused by several things. However, everyone is different.

1) Repressing or ignoring a trigger while awake by not facing it when it pops up (which is easier to do when on anti-depressants).

2) Extreme stress (it doesn't have to be about the trauma either, because sometimes my menstrual cycle will cause a nightmare).

3) Medications (Vicodin and derivatives of Codeine, and Adderall and derivatives of stimulants will cause me nightmares).

4) Watching a triggering movie or listening to harsh music (usually rap) I can't help it but I love Eminem LOL

5) If someone behaves in a violent manner especially toward me.

It doesn't matter what kind of sleep aid I'm taking, the nightmares will wake me if I don't deal with these issues when they surface. If I have one nightmare I better face it that day or I know it will become a viscous cycle, and I will have another nightmare because of the first one.

Maybe there is something in what I wrote that will help you Kunoichi
Tammy

 

[sigh]

I forgot. I used to startle completely awake in the middle of a nightmare. My t at that time made me keep a book and pencil and write down whatever I was seeing/experiencing. It takes practice to get into the habit, but in a way, once you write it down, it can't come back. I found it especially helpful in memories where I had some kind of conflict (in my mind) about it.

??