[growlithing]

I'm still T-less. I've contacted a lot and setup an intake for some centers here. Every T so far has either been not qualified/not comfortable to work with trauma, completely full, or doesn't accept my insurance. I'm still trying. I know I need one.

I don't know what to do in the mean time. I can't sleep. I've had nightmares every night that woke me up sweating, crying, and either trying to scream or actually speaking words (usually "stop" and "get off"). I just had one that on too of being fragmented flashbacks, featured this super terrifying concept of LCM. There were two of her and one of was completely still and unresponsive and the other terrified me because I didn't think it was her. It then faded into fragmented flashbacks, I started panicking, I tried to move but I couldn't, I then it suddenly stopped when she suddenly appeared again and said "stop. Wiggle your toes, open your eyes, and sit up. You're dreaming".

This is happening every night and I have no idea how to get this under control enough to sleep until I find a T. Does anyone have any suggestions and what is going on?? I need to sleep again. This is horrible.

[growlycat]

Maybe you have already tried this, but does your insurance company have a website that shows providers? That might show who is available AND takes your insurance.

For the nightmares---For me, reading fiction or watching a movie before bed really affects what I dream about. If you can read about something interesting and pleasant it may affect the tone of your dreams.

I found this…basic but good core advice
How to Stop Having Nightmares: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

I don't know if you have ever read about lucid dreaming but it is interesting. I have only been aware of dreaming-while-dreaming a couple of times. It is hard to do though but it was amazing when it worked. You have control over your dreams and they feel real, in a good way.

World of Lucid Dreaming: Learn How to Control Your Dreams

[blur]

you might want to contact your insurance company and ask them if they know of any trauma Ts in your area. you can tell them you have been contacting some and are not having any luck so far finding one. or, you could do searches on psychology today's or psych central's therapy finders for trauma Ts in your area and see if they are on your insurance. don't give up! you will find one.

i'm sorry about the nightmares & flashbacks. that sounds just awful.

[Depletion]

I used to have a terrible time sleeping after my SA. There are a lot of videos that you can find on youtube to help you sleep. I suggest finding one that you like and turning down the lights and putting some head phones on and watching it until you feel sleepy or relaxed. Also things like Valerian root, and other herbal remedies work well for sleeping. Sometimes just making a sleep routine can be helpful. Like turn on a ceartin low light lamp before bed, then go brush your teeth, then read your favorite comic and listen to some music you like, etc.

I also suggest if you have a bad dream to not try and go back to sleep right away, try and get up and get out of your room fix yourself a cup of tea, and do something to distract yourself for a bit.

As for the T's just keep trying. You can always ask the once you contact for referrals to someone who might be more appropriate. And I like Growlycat's suggestion that you see what your insurance has to offer. You might also want to check and see if your insurance has an out of network benefit. If they do you might be able to see someone who is not on their list for a reduced rate (although it will not be as reduced as with the full benefit).

[growlycat]

For anyone who can't sleep, I found some free relaxation and guided imagery mp3's.

Health Education - Stress Management

MIT Medical: Resources - Community Wellness Downloads

http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/asppodcast.asp

[RedSun]

This is not great advice for a long term solution...but for a couple of days or so it might help...I slept during the day, and went to bed really late at night, like 4 or 5 in the morning. I stayed up watching tv,cooking, chilling,it was quite fun. Then had two good sleeps in the day.for some reason, day time sleeps didn't have all the nightmares.
After three days of that, I gradually went to bed earlier, the nightmares were much better.
I think that, because I had been sleeping and not having nightmares, I didn't anticipate them, do they didn't happen iykwim.

[HazelGirl]

If you're willing to try it, I found that propranolol right before bed time eliminated my trauma nightmares. It was amazing. I could sleep in peace for the first time in years. Your primary care doctor would probably be completely willing to prescribe it if you asked for it and told her you had anxiety and knew it could help.

[growlithing]

Originally Posted by Red75

This is not great advice for a long term solution...but for a couple of days or so it might help...I slept during the day, and went to bed really late at night, like 4 or 5 in the morning. I stayed up watching tv,cooking, chilling,it was quite fun. Then had two good sleeps in the day.for some reason, day time sleeps didn't have all the nightmares.
After three days of that, I gradually went to bed earlier, the nightmares were much better.
I think that, because I had been sleeping and not having nightmares, I didn't anticipate them, do they didn't happen iykwim.

Yeah I do this and somehow it works. I just can't do it when I have to be up at 7 the next morning. It then gradually catches up with me again and ruins my sleep all over again.

[growlithing]

Originally Posted by Depletion

I used to have a terrible time sleeping after my SA. There are a lot of videos that you can find on youtube to help you sleep. I suggest finding one that you like and turning down the lights and putting some head phones on and watching it until you feel sleepy or relaxed. Also things like Valerian root, and other herbal remedies work well for sleeping. Sometimes just making a sleep routine can be helpful. Like turn on a ceartin low light lamp before bed, then go brush your teeth, then read your favorite comic and listen to some music you like, etc.

I also suggest if you have a bad dream to not try and go back to sleep right away, try and get up and get out of your room fix yourself a cup of tea, and do something to distract yourself for a bit.

As for the T's just keep trying. You can always ask the once you contact for referrals to someone who might be more appropriate. And I like Growlycat's suggestion that you see what your insurance has to offer. You might also want to check and see if your insurance has an out of network benefit. If they do you might be able to see someone who is not on their list for a reduced rate (although it will not be as reduced as with the full benefit).

The not trying to fall back asleep point is helpful especially since sleep paralysis also plays a role in my sleep problems. I got up, walked around, drank some sprite I think and tried again. It was a lot better.

[growlithing]

I'm terrified to try to sleep.

When I was panicking after I managed to get myself to move, I thought I should call LCM or the RA on duty number because I knew my best friend was working last night so she'd come help me. I didn't because I talked myself down but I feel like if I did impulsively call one of them, I'd feel super embarrassed about it in the morning. My friend would have had to document it and I guess I shouldn't be embarrassed because the dorm staff know I have PTSD (it's documented so that staff would know in a situation like that) but I still feel like it would have been really embarrassing. I would have felt bad about waking up LCM too. I feel bad that I thought about doing any of that.