Nightmares

I am afraid to sleep anymore because of my nightmares. I wake up all sweaty and not wasnting to get out of bed because I think they are going to come true again. I have post-traumatic stress disorder and I have flashbacks. Does anyone know what to do?

I heard somewhere that if you listen to music while you sleep, your brain focuses on that and it is less likely you will dream. I don't know how true that is, but it's probably worth a try. Take care.

Maybe that's why I haven't exactly had nightmares, Sunny. I go to bed after midnight, sometimes in the early a.m's. Maybe that's a good thing because at first my nightmares were just dreams with the same theme involved.

i have really bad nightmares which i had in childhood and i still have about peoples bones exploding inside them and wierd stuff like that, which freaks the hell outta me, but i find that if you go to bed reading a good book or listening to music (as mentioned), then you dream about that instead. if you have a good series of books, then read those until you fall asleep, but dont put them down because you start feeling tired, wait until you can hardly stay awake then put them down, because you'll dream about them and the plots instead. however, if you aren't a complete nerdy bookworm like me, then listen to some nice music, but nothing heavy because it makes them worse generally. i also have a really dim light which lights the whole room in case i wake up and feel like shit, because it just makes me feel better to be able to see what's in the room with me. also, i dont get to sleep until really late, so i dunno if tht helps, but if i go to sleep early, they're worse so.....hope some of that helps you.
best of luck :0)

Forsaken Redeemer
xXx

Well first of all, sounds like you are having Night Terrors, not Nightmares.

Although, Nightmares you can recal what happened most of the time...In Night Terrors he/she is usually confused and does not remember details of the event.

Do you remember anything when you wake-up?

If you do, then you are most likely having Nightmares, If you don't and are somewhat confused then you are having Night Terrors.

I find the best way to stop getting Nightmares is to write down what happened, read it out loud, then anaylse the dream and write down and read out loud why it was so terrifying. The dreams typically deal with a lack of power, trust, intimacy, safety or esteem.

Now before you go back to bed, read out loud the way you would want the dream to be, don't read anything else, listen to music talk to anyone, watch tv...NOTHING...go straight to bed after reading out loud how you would want the dream to be with out the terrifying parts.

As for Night Terrors, have your parents record when you goto bed, and when you begin to have the dream. Then for 7 straight nights in a arrow, have your parents wake you up 15 mins. prior to the time you are supossed to have the dream, have them keep you awake for 5 straight mins. If the Night Terrors still reacur after the seven nights of this, have them repeat for a another 7 nights.

I hope that helped you. :)

Peace, Joe

I use to have such horrible dreams and flashbacks all the time. But i've started taking hot showers at night and I listen to music, I believe it really helped me. I still do have nightmares which is why i'm an insomnic but i've found that i'm less parinoid about sleeping now. Another thing that sooths me is staring out my window at night. And as cheest as this sounds, looking at the moon and stars. I find it relaxing. Hope everything works out. =)

Good Luck.

~Luvz~
~Angie~
xoxo

Thanx for everyone's help. I'll try the music thing. I have realized that after reading my book I don't have them as much. I think I have Night Terrors AND nightmares. It really sucks. Anyway I'll try everything you guys mentioned. Again, Thanx!

*Laura*

I have PTSD and it really sucks, but having a hot bath or shower, reading a book and listening to music and having a hot drink always helps me sleep better...

Good luck

I have nightmares from time to time and they scare me alot so I sympathise (sp) for you having them frequently :-(

I usually do some things to help me sleep better. I was going to say try lighting smelly candles, but I guess that's a slight fire risk... Try incense (sp) though, I find that relaxing. Also as other people said, have a hot bath before sleeping, a hot drink, play music, or anything that makes you feel more relaxed. I can't think of anything else to suggest, but take care!
- Polly xx

Thanks everybody I took your advice and I can actually sleep better now as long as I don't think about it.