[Jessica Hazlitt]

Hi. The reason I'm not sure if this is the right place is because I'm not sure if it's a PTSD symptom, but that's what I hope to find out. I've been working with my therapist recently on a reoccurring nightmare /sleep terror I have had for as long as I can remember. However it doesn't feel like a dream, it feels like reliving. We've not determined what it's about or what triggers it. Something will happen that kick starts it, I'll then have it several times a night - once a night - a few times a week - once a week.....and so on until it's just once in a blue moon. However as soon as the trigger reappears, the cycle starts again. In fact the majority of the time the cycle doesn't get all the way to the end before restarting. It's awful. I wake at the same point every time, and because I'm terrified I'm wide awake. It wasn't so bad before I had my daughter, but now I can't afford the sleep deprivation. My one year old sleeps better than I do.

My question is, could this be a flashback? I wasn't sure as it happens while I'm sleep. When I'm going over it with therapist I can (if I'm feeling brave) feel into it, like I'm there. I don't like doing it though, I have a history of dissociative seizures and the dream can trigger them.

[pegasus]

It is common with PTSD to have recurring nightmares regarding traumatic events that have happened to you. During the trauma often times the trauma does not get processed properly and gets stuck at a certain point. Dreaming helps to file away memories in the right place in the brain but traumatic memories can surface especially when dissociation is involved. Sometimes the nightmares are actual parts of memories and other times it is a recurring theme. Please discuss with your therapist.

[Jessica Hazlitt]

Originally Posted by pegasus

It is common with PTSD to have recurring nightmares regarding traumatic events that have happened to you. During the trauma often times the trauma does not get processed properly and gets stuck at a certain point. Dreaming helps to file away memories in the right place in the brain but traumatic memories can surface especially when dissociation is involved. Sometimes the nightmares are actual parts of memories and other times it is a recurring theme. Please discuss with your therapist.

I will. I think it's a case of, consciously I want to remember, because I think that will stop th dreams eventually, but subconsciously I don't. There's probably a good reason it's not been stored in an easily accessible way. Thanks for the reply.

[Werewoman]

You might be a good candidate for EMDR as it would help you find the source of the dream. The fact that you dissociate tells me there's something there. I've done EMDR off and on for years and it's helped me discover many things.

[Jessica Hazlitt]

Originally Posted by Werewoman

You might be a good candidate for EMDR as it would help you find the source of the dream. The fact that you dissociate tells me there's something there. I've done EMDR off and on for years and it's helped me discover many things.

What does EMDR involve? I knew the basic theory, just not sure exactly how it plays out in therapy.

[Werewoman]

Basically you first have to establish a safe place in your mind, then your T will guide you thru your traumas. It can get very intense but it's worth it. Things that used to really bother me don't anymore. At worst, it simply doesn't work, but it did for me.