Does anyone know how to make the nightmares stop?

Anyone?

Jan

Thinking of ya Jan

((((((((((((Jan)))))))))))))))) I wish I could make them go away for you.

The only thing that has helped me is a combo of meds before I sleep,
wish I had a better solution, if someone does, I'm also interested,
I know hoe it feels to wake up to the nightmares!!!
sending you positive vibes,
Patricia xx

Try writing them down as soon as you wake up.

I did that then brought them to T's and we talked about what they meant or represented for me.

Three o'clock in the morning I was scribbling down whatever I could remember and the feelings it brought up. (fear, anger sadness)

It helped.

PS I forgot to add, she had me change the endings, so they became nonthreatening.

There is a name for it, image rehearsal or something like that.

((((((( Friends )))))))

Thank you one and all. Even with the meds I dread going to sleep.

Jan

Time. ?. Self talk as you go to sleep. ?. Gentle bunny bumpies to rock yer cradle softly: ))))))) ) ) ) January ( ( ( ( (((((

Jan, all that works for me is extra meds -- and that's AFTER the awful dreams have woken me up and made me feel like crap .

No good suggestions here, I'm afraid, but all the hugs you can stand!

Love, Candy

I do what Petunia does, helps me lots to change the endings especially.

Helps me also to periodically review my meds, some meds do have nightmares as a side effect.

Changing my bedroom around, airing it out, fixing it up with things that mean comfort and safety help me too.

depends on what type of nightmare. If it is just a normal run of the mill type nightmare. I do nothing because it most likely won't happen with the same exact nightmare content and so on. But if it is what I call a feel true come true type nightmare and I have it more than once I know that the nightmare is part of my "memory cycle" (new memorys coming into my conscious awareness level). for those type of nightmares I know what whatever the nightmare is, is something that I actually experienced. Each of them what I do for them varies. and basically what I do is journalling, art work and crafts and so on to trigger more memories about it.Most times they start out with my not knowing anything but when I wake up in panic I grab my journal and write what is going on, my feelings and so on. Once I have something to go on I use what ever triggers that I know that will match it to push it into moving forwards. then I journal, make shoe box versions of it (diaramas) and so on until I remember the whole thing. when I can remember the whole nightmare and the situation it is about the nightmare goes away.

IMO it does depend upon the cause of the nightmare...if you can write them down, even if with flashlight and main word scribbles...to review later, you might see a theme.

If they are drug induced, well, not much you can do but 1) hope they cease after being on the med awhile 2) reduce the strength of the dose 3) quit the med

I agree also with the self talk as you fall asleep...but I think you already have sweet thoughts before bed.

Have you tried lucid dreaming? The more you work on it, the better you become with it. It's a way to "change" the dream while you are still dreaming. Not for amateurs, but exciting when done.

Sweet dreams!

((((((((((((( January ))))))))))))

Ooooooooh! I know what you mean!

I have been working with my T on this one.

Try to think how YOU would like the dream to end. You can use any magical and interesting way you like.

This is what I am working on at the mo.

Hugs.

another way... not sleep (she says at 5:18 a.m.)

Sleep is vital for the body and mind to repair itself.

Research has shown that REM (rapid eye movement) which occurs during dreaming is vital for sorting out those filing cabinets in the brain.

Sleep deprevation is torture!

(((((((((( Hugs to all who suffer with sleep problems ))))))))

(((((((((( Friends )))))))))))

Thank you all, very much. Each one of you have given me things to think about and I am going to try to remember that all of you are sending me hugs as I try to sleep. Just knowing that helps so much.

I talked to my counselor today. All my dreams are either recurrent or definately on the same track. She says to remember that my dreams are allegories and to try hard to derive the symbolism. What she said makes sense and we talked about my two main themes: people trying to hurt me and me trying to get to safety.

Since a bad thing happened in January that set off the PTSD even more, my dreams are worse than they've ever been. Perhaps tonight will be better...if I can talk myself into actually trying to sleep.

Thank you each and every one.

Hugs,

Jan

(a) Point to Ponder.................... DREAMS are the unresolved issues that we deal with and face in Real Life - if left unattended or never fixed they will seek us out in time of rest, as to HELP.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

My nuerologist gave me a very small dose of Elavil to take at bedtime. It is really helping with the night terrors. It's not making me groggy, either. I have had three blessed, peaceful nights of sleep.

Hurray!!!!

Jan

wtg!!! I knew it would help!! *doing the happy dance*

..........................................

Thank you everyone!!!! I made the mistake of falling back to sleep after I woke up this morning and had a bad nightmare. I think the elavil had worn off. So, I need to get my lazy self out of bed when I wake up!!! It's so nice, I don't even remember the dreams!!!!!!

Jan

I am so glad it is working for you hon!!

Thank you, Be!!! I'm not so afraid to go to sleep now!

Jan it is wonderful news hon! I am happy for you!

I have been having horrific dreams since 4/1/03. Lot's of meds make remembering them fuzzy when I wake up but the emotion is still THERE. Then to settle the emotions I try to distract myself with TV, MUSIC, more medication, scratching my skin raw. good luck...

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Thank you everyone!!!! I made the mistake of falling back to sleep after I woke up this morning and had a bad nightmare. I think the elavil had worn off. So, I need to get my lazy self out of bed when I wake up!!! It's so nice, I don't even remember the dreams!!!!!!

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I can totally second that 'get out of bed' thing. I take temazepam for sleep. As long as I don't go back to sleep after waking (unless it is like 3 a.m.), I do okay. It is when I try to go back to sleep without the meds that I start having the really bad nightmares.

Never thought of myself as a morning person before, but better to be up early and a little sleepy than having those nightmares.