[ShadowGX]

My friend has been struggling with nightmares a lot and I found out how bad it is today... I don't know what to do to help him. Even though he went to bed in a great mood last night (thanks to me, woo) he still ended up not sleeping at all thanks to the nightmares. He's gone 4 days straight no sleep before, multiple times, according to him - one such streak was recent.

He does not want to go to therapy because he thinks it will open up a lot of stuff he's already recovered from... I did try suggesting that already, and even insisted some when he said that.

I'm looking for ideas that may not be so conventional. He is a self-helper type of dude, so anything typical he's probably already seen. Are there any atypical solutions out there that you have seen work? Preferably ones that he doesn't need someone to help him with because I'm not sure he would let me help him, but I would try if he let me.

[mote.of.soul]

My gosh, sounds awful. Has he noticed if his nightmares are related to his body temperature while he's sleeping? Because, I tend to have sleep paralysis episodes if I allow myself to become too hot while asleep. So, I take a few precautions now.

[ShadowGX]

Next time it comes up naturally I will ask. He's sick now so I'm gonna be nice and try to fill his head with happy things and not so sad things.

[Mountaindewed]

This is a weird response, but could it be his bed itself? I had really bad night terrors until I got rid of my bed and got a new one. I’ve had no problems in 2 or 3 weeks.

I second the over heating thing. I bought cooling sheets and they are amazing. They are on sale at Kohl’s right now for $45-$50. They are usually $100

[Carmina]

This helps me a lot

Creating a safe space for sleeping (my sleep nest)

[Deejay14]

Prazosin can help with nightmares.
I guess what really sticks out is that therapy is out because he is afraid of stirring up already resolved issues. If he is afraid of that are the issues really resolved?

[ShadowGX]

Apologies for the late reply everyone, I forgot I made this thread until just now. x.x'

@Mountaindewed: It is possible, but I'm leaning towards "no" just because the nightmares started post trauma and are related to it.

@Carmina: That seems like a neat idea, though I'm not sure he'd be receptive. Sometimes his family visits and he doesn't discuss his problems with his family because they're very judgemental, so I think he would worry about them seeing something like that and questioning him. I wonder though if there's something else he could do that wouldn't raise questions, like make a nest of blankets to surround himself with. Definitely something I'll bring up.

@Deejay: That's my question as well honestly. I mean, if the issues are resolved, why worry about them coming back up? It's sort of a touchy subject for him, so I don't want to push. He seemed very adamant about it when we discussed it before. At the same time, if the nightmares continue he may destroy his mental and physical health and that worries me a lot. His physical health has already suffered a lot lately because of not sleeping and too much stress. I would like to eventually convince him to try therapy, but I don't want to overstep either. If nothing else helps and he can't get over the nightmares in some time then I will bring up therapy again.

[PurpleBlur]

a weighted blanket!!!


they should help with nightmares.

[mwaxy]

Originally Posted by mote.of.soul

My gosh, sounds awful. Has he noticed if his nightmares are related to his body temperature while he's sleeping? Because, I tend to have sleep paralysis episodes if I allow myself to become too hot while asleep. So, I take a few precautions now.

Myself included. Heat is not good for sleep paralysis, lucid dreaming nor 'day terrors' (shift work sleep).