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(JD) · Jan 09, 2010, 05:54 PM

You gave many clues and answers in your replies...
nightmares are a normal response to such violence. You were re-triggered by the sight of the perpetrator, and that's made sleeping worse.
I have many questions, but won't ask...just hope that you reported the rape and aren't hiding from the experience. I'm glad you are in therapy, and I hope your T is well versed in this area, and has determined your correct diagnosis.

I agree with others, change your sleeping routine for now. Make it okay to only sleep a few hours at night, and schedule a day time to sleep also. Maybe change where you sleep, maybe leave the tv or radio on... anything that changes up what is right now. Find some comforting measures for when you do wake up from a nightmare...some good self talk etc.

Don't be hard on yourself for the body's way of reacting to such a trauma....and expect that once you're through January, you'll feel better.