Worse At Night?

[Casey_03]

This question may seem stupid, and if so, please forgive me for that. I've only recently begun dealing with my PTSD while sober and so have only recently started to really process past traumas. I've found that I am mostly okay throughout the day, but at night it's like the world is ending. I don't mean in terms of nightmares or flashbacks, I just mean an overwhelming sense of rage towards everyone who's hurt me. It just builds and builds as I imagine what I want to say to them, and I can't turn it off. It's like the walls are closing in and all I feel is panic and rage; it's so intense I can't sleep and can only manage to rock back and forth. I guess I'm confused because I've heard of PTSD sufferers experiencing nightmares, but I'd never heard of this - not nightmares, not flashbacks, just pure, unbridled rage. I'm wondering if it's really PTSD or maybe something else? It's like this every single night, without fail. And it never gets easier.

 

[shimmerz]

Yes, night time was typically much worse for me as well. It would start as soon as there was a slightly orange hue to the sky. From there it was all downhill. Every night. Congratulations on kicking your addiction! That takes guts! :cool:

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Nighttime has almost always been the worst part of the day for me. I had a few week/month span where it flipped to being mornings, but then it switched back again. I think that it has to do with the stress of the day building up.

 

[adriftatsea]

Nighttime is the worst for my husband, but after talking to him about it (besides the stress of just getting through a day and dreading nightmares), a lot of his trauma actually happened in the evening/at night.

 

[sun seeker]

Night is the hardest time for me too, though my problem is anxiety, not rage. I don't know if it's some association with night or just because things get quieter and there is less to do to distract us, but I think it's a common problem.

 

[scout86]

Night tends to be worse for me too. I suspect maybe because I'm not busy at night. During the day, I tend to be doing things and that's a distraction. Night gives me more time to think and thinking sometimes isn't such a good thing.

 

[Recovery4Me]

I've only recently begun dealing with my Link Removed while sober

I love the feedback from everyone to you! So here's another angle to possibly consider...

Major Congrats! Even if you didn't have PTSD, the rage does still happen with detoxing.:devilish: The body is mad as hell and wants it's fix to relax.:clown: So you are facing a double whammy...flooding in of the previously masked emotions and bloody wanting it to stop, no doubt!

:hug:'s to you courageous one!

 

[ms spock]

Nights are much worse for me as well. I also feel anxiety. It is really pretty hard going. It is better than it was, but I struggle with comfort eating.

 

[Frogs88]

Yes, nights are hard.

Well done for quitting.

Perhaps have a safe person to call once a night, just for five minutes.Or have a routine to calm you down. Keep following it. I make a herbal tea and watch the same t.v. show every night but sometimes it doesn't work.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

Aside from being the quieter end of the day, I also think that to sleep you have to at least attempt to relax, which lets in far too many thoughts/feelings/memories.

 

[Recovery4Me]

which lets in far too many thoughts/feelings/memories

Agreed!:tup:
I think (as I am still working on it:)) my trick is to allow my feelings to come, observe-say hello, notice them without judgement on myself and then-
not let those emotions become the focus or build into lifeforms :alien:of their own. Slowing escalation one step at a time.

*Much as in hearing a noise...I will then not run with it & assume ninja warriors are quietly gathering under my bed. :ninja::ninja::ninja::clown: