Trouble sleeping-nightmares

I was taken off of Lithium last month due to side effects. Since then I wake up throughout the night with nightmares. I remember the nightmares at first when I wake up but then fall back asleep until another one wakes me. I just started on an increased dose of Depakote but am not stabilized on it yet. It is helping a little bit-I'm only waking up on average 4 times a night.

In addition to having Bipolar NOS I have PTSD. And I'm just coming out of a month that is a major trigger for both. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for dealing with nightmares? My Bipolar doesn't mix well with a lack of sleep.

Hello, starfish5, and welcome to Psych Central! I rarely have a problem with what can be called nightmares, but here are some suggestions: http://www.dreaminterpretation-dicti...in-adults.html. I hope you can deal with them soon.

Thanks for the information Travelinglady. The increased Depakote is now working and I'm finally sleeping through the night. And thanks for the hugs.

Hi Starfish,

I can say for certain that my P.T.S.D. has caused me a great deal of hellish nightmares. I hope you stop having them. I have one particular nightmare that is recurring. It's caused by adolescent sexual trauma and it's a real black, death oriented and a totally bizarre one.

I've been on both Lithium and DepaKote. That's one of the reasons I became anorexic. The weight gain simply killed me and someone just had to point out how bulbous I had become.

I don't know how to cognitively stop them but I'll say a prayer for you.

Lauren Ann