Hello everyone

I have always had problems sleeping, ever since I can remember. Recently it's become more of a problem. I'm about to finish my first semester of college (just over a month left) and I'm looking for a job, both of which I need some real sleep for.

When I was younger I had some terrifying nightmares. They wouldn't happen every night, but they happened enough. I hated sleeping. I would do whatever I could to stay awake (read books, play bored games, watch tv, ect.). Soon enough it wasn't a problem of staying awake but of falling asleep. Whenever I felt safe enough to sleep (like when a friend stayed the night and we shared my bed) I found that I couldn't sleep. This was completely frustrating, but I decided it was better than having nightmares.

Now that I'm older I find that I still have the same problems. I find it nearly impossible to fall asleep, but when I do sleep I tend to have nightmares. I still have the habit of reading a book through the night instead of trying to sleep.

I'm not sure what to do. I want to sleep because I feel like a zombie some days. Yet I know that sleeping is going to start up my nightmares again. I'm terrified of my nightmares, but I want my life back already!
Any suggestions/ advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Shelly