11 replies to this topic

[nowayout]

I am plagued by chronic nightmares. Several every night, I would say. I also have bad insomnia, and I think the nightmares are actually one of the causes of my insomnia, since I associate going to bed not with rest but instead with the tortures that await me. I often wake up emotionally exhausted and physically sore from the actual nightmares.

Has anybody had this problem and found a good treatment?

[KoolK3n]

As a young buck lucid dreamer, I run into my fair share of nightmares (once every two weeks), it always pertains to aliens chasing me. I dream a lot about zombies but its never scary, I actually have fun with zombie dreams (had one a few days ago).

It's not an issue anymore but sleep paralysis was the worst. I never encountered the hag (thanks god), but just the inability to move freaked me out. Every time I break free, I get upset at myself because I know it's the perfect opportunity to induce an out of body experience. I had a couple very successful OBEs! It was intense lol oops sorry I'm getting off topic. I can't give you any meaningful advice because I have yet to conquer my fear over aliens in my dreams.

Weed and booze helps put me to sleep and kills dreaming but isn't sustainable long term or healthy. Wouldn't hurt to try though in your case. I'm guessing you've tried this already uh see a sleep specialist?

Edited by KoolK3n, 13 May 2013 - 02:31 AM.

[nupi]

Could that be a form of PTSD? I find the whole Propanolol story quite interesting in that area...

[nowayout]

Could that be a form of PTSD? I find the whole Propanolol story quite interesting in that area...

The dreams are mostly psychological nightmares (reenactment of abandonment scenarios, etc.) regarding a traumatic breakup more than 3 years ago, so maybe there is some PTSD.

I also frequently wake up yelling the house awake because I think someone threatening is standing over me and I can't move, but that has been the case for many years, and it is not an every night problem like the nightmares.

[nupi]

That sounds a lot like PTSD - IIRC you dislike SSRIs so I think I would look into non-gabaergic anti anxiety meds, e.g., afobazol or perhaps propanolol. Or perhaps a sedating AD (Mirtazepine maybe?) - or obviously, if you believe in it, therapy.

Edited by nupi, 13 May 2013 - 06:54 PM.

[nowayout]

I tried mirtazapine but after the first night unfortunately it doesn't sedate me, so I found it useless for insomnia. It also has the unfortunate side effect of making me dream very vividly and exhaustingly all night. Not a good thing if you suffer nightmares.

Currently Lunesta (eszopiclone) helps a bit but it is unsustainable, since it makes me compketely asexual. I want to get off it but the problem is then I don't sleep.

Apparently benzos reuce REM sleep, and in my eperience they are helpful for the problem. Unfortunately the consensus seems to be that they are also not sustainable.

I'll look into the other suggestions.

Edited by viveutvivas, 13 May 2013 - 07:40 PM.

[Godot]

Meds will not cure the problem. Psychotherapy can be very effective for nightmares.

Clinical hypnotherapy can actually be very effective as well, just make sure you find a practitioner who is licensed. In the US, check asch.net

[KoolK3n]

I'll look into the other suggestions.

Ayahuasca trip with the shamans in Peru?

[nowayout]

I'll look into the other suggestions.

Ayahuasca trip with the shamans in Peru?

I'd rather have my psychedelics surrounded by the comforts of modern civilization, if I could.

[nupi]

Are we to be worried by your new nickname?

[nowayout]

Meds will not cure the problem. Psychotherapy can be very effective for nightmares.

Clinical hypnotherapy can actually be very effective as well, just make sure you find a practitioner who is licensed. In the US, check asch.net

I don't have the money or time for therapy. Can you recommend any self-help resources?

[Tom_]

I think we covered nearly everything in the norepenpfine topic but clonadine and TCA's will reduce nightmares.