[Lifeistrulyaride]

I've had a lot of nightmares since I have taken a break from here. I mean I have had them when I was on here too. But this one was different.

I fell asleep at a normal time while spending a weekend at my mother's apartment. The next day my mother told me that I had kept her up all night..and feeling guilty..I apologized because I had a phone call that I had to answer. And she responded by saying that she never heard me on the phone..but that I had started screaming and crying extremely loud to the point where I woke her up from a dead sleep..and where she had to sit next to me by the bed and tell me that things were okay.

One, I have no recollection of this ever happening. I don't remember it. Two, I don't remember the night terror or nightmare itself. But my mom specified that I was screaming for "help." My mom doesn't know that I believe that I have repressed memories of sexual abuse.

My question is...is this like just a normal behavior commonly associated with this type of abuse..because I know it is..or could this be a sleep disorder associated with the trauma of the abuse? What are the differences between nightmares and night terrors? Because I'm starting to think that the panic that arises from my "nightmares" in the middle of the night/morning..could be night terrors. And to be honest, I'm scared that I don't remember that specific one taking place.

[Nelliecat]

Hi Lifeistrulyaride

I have been talking about possible csa with my T, I just have very strong instincts something happened but when I was little I used to have terrible night terrors/nightmares (?)

I would have the same dream over and over and scream the house down. I clearly remember sitting on my mothers lap and knowing she was saying my name and tapping my face while having them and being aware she was there but not being able to leave my dream. These dreams were absolutely terrifying and I wonder if they were somehow related to events which I don't recall.

I know I haven't helped answer your question, I just know how confused you must be.

[Sannah]

Sorry that I can't answer your question but I just wanted to support you.

[googley]

Night terrors are not remembered, nightmares are remembered. Night terrors are earlier in the night (usually within 90 minutes of falling asleep). They happen at different stages of the sleep cycle. In nightmares the person may act like they are awake (ie get out of bed) but have no memory of the event. They are not (and neither are nightmares) specific signs of abuse. You should talk to your T about this. There are treatments for night terrors.

[Lifeistrulyaride]

Originally Posted by googley

Night terrors are not remembered, nightmares are remembered. Night terrors are earlier in the night (usually within 90 minutes of falling asleep). They happen at different stages of the sleep cycle. In nightmares the person may act like they are awake (ie get out of bed) but have no memory of the event. They are not (and neither are nightmares) specific signs of abuse. You should talk to your T about this. There are treatments for night terrors.

I hadn't heard of night terrors until I took a psychology course that slightly covered them. I do remember learning that they're at the beginning of the sleep cycle (REM).

I mean, I've definitely had nightmares. I've never sleep walked before. But I scream, cry and do things that I don't remember doing..or things happen that I don't recall ever happening.

I'm just trying to distinguish the difference between a night terror (obviously not remembered and at the beginning of the sleep cycle) from a nightmare (that is an action that is not remembered)

I know I have repressed memories of sexual abuse, and that is the anxiety and fear that goes into my ordinary nightmares. But this specific occasion, I didn't recall a nightmare or what happened that night..so I was thinking it was a night terror. I don't have a therapist actually.. I know I can really use one though. My mother deals with my sister..and they go to therapy for that different situation..and my mom usually says she can't deal with any other problems concerning me because of financial issues..that's why I joined here. I'm not really sure how to approach my mother with this issue seeing as we don't get along, and she doesn't know I have repressed memories of abuse.