How do I get rid of these terrible nightmares?!
Question: How do I get rid of these terrible nightmares!?
I have nightly terrible nightmares, I have been diagnosed with PTSD!. I have tried everything!. Is there any way that I can get rid of these nightmares without medicine (right now they want to put me on a new blood pressure medicine)!? I do not believe in "traditional" therapy!. Is there anyway I can get rid of these nightmares and can get a good night's sleep!? I will try anything!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
PTSD: See Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, at http://www!.ezy-build!.net!.nz/~shaneris on pages 33 - 34, and examine the http://1-800-therapist!.com/ website, and use the locators in section 1, and phone book, and/or various associations for psychiatrists and psychologists, to find the nearest one using EMDR therapy!. If unable to afford it, or to locate one nearby, contact the county/local mental health agency: any therapy on offer may prove helpful, particularly if combined with appropriate medication!. (The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective!. It is easy to be dismissive of it, because it may seem a little strange, but is well worth trying, for at least a few weeks, to see how it effective it is in your case)!. First, sit comfortably, and take a deep breath!. Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: "a thousand and one": this takes approximately a second)!. Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally if you like) 20 times!. Then close your eyes and relax!. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel!. Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner!. Then, repeat the procedure one last time!. Some people may find that this is all they need do: others find that they need 2 sessions in quick succession, but professional treatment is the best option, if you can access it!. With practice, you may find that you can employ this technique with your eyes closed, thereby enabling a much wider window of opportunity to use in public, without attracting unwanted attention!. ==================== ==================== ==================== ==================== Adapt the following; read section 3, on nightmares, and work on your PTSD during the day, and prepare before sleeping: persist! Use the EMDR just before sleeping, followed by the visualisation method!.=== A previous answer: Fear: My standard post follows, but learn to identify, and confront your fears: a fear confronted is a fear reduced!. If you don't know what they are, write down 3 times, before going to sleep: "Tonight, in my dreams, I want to remember seeing what my fear is, when I get up", and put it under your pillow!. Then say it aloud 3 times, after lights out!. It is important to summon as much desire as you are capable of, to more effectively communicate this to your subconscious mind!. If this works, it should produce a response within 2 weeks; if not, you may not be remembering, so set an alarm to go off after, first, 3 hrs; next night 4; next night 5: have a pen & paper handy, and WRITE DOWN THOSE DREAMS!!! or, chances are, you will forget!. Remember, the response may be metaphorical (figurative), rather than literal!.
There is a section on dream interpretation, here in Y!A, and view section 3 on dream interpretation, at ezy build (feel free to email me by clicking on my profile, but I am a lot better with interpreting dreams of males, than females) if you have any difficulty, but the idea is to, immediately after waking & writing down, question the characters inhabiting that dream, and note any thoughts, images, impressions, or emotions which result!. Then use the confrontation method, in section 3, on recurring nightmares, at ezy-build!. Take up a course in Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, or Tang Soo Do, etc!., as much for the mental techniques you will learn, as the ability to face physical fear, which may well have a carry over effect in the dream state, at night, influencing your subconscious mind, and enabling you to tackle them head on (Some people can defeat them: it can help to call on friends, or others: "dream allies" to come to your assistance!. In dreams, heroes, superheroes, characters/beings from fiction, or people who are alive, or long dead, are available to be selected to help you!. I am still unable to summon them, as yet, but I realise that all those figures are part of me: one thing you can do is just keep fighting: persevere, and resist)!. I also suggest that you try the technique of dream re-entry, and, just after lights out, visualise yourself, as vividly as possible, confronting your attacker: demanding to know why you are being attacked, and demonstrating that you are prepared to defend yourself, if they don't go away and stop bothering you!. It is important to want this with as much desire as you can muster, to better convey the message to your subconscious mind!. Include this on the piece of paper you put under your pillow!. Many people report reduced anxiety levels, after taking up yoga, and t'ai chi probably has similar benefits!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
There is a section on dream interpretation, here in Y!A, and view section 3 on dream interpretation, at ezy build (feel free to email me by clicking on my profile, but I am a lot better with interpreting dreams of males, than females) if you have any difficulty, but the idea is to, immediately after waking & writing down, question the characters inhabiting that dream, and note any thoughts, images, impressions, or emotions which result!. Then use the confrontation method, in section 3, on recurring nightmares, at ezy-build!. Take up a course in Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, or Tang Soo Do, etc!., as much for the mental techniques you will learn, as the ability to face physical fear, which may well have a carry over effect in the dream state, at night, influencing your subconscious mind, and enabling you to tackle them head on (Some people can defeat them: it can help to call on friends, or others: "dream allies" to come to your assistance!. In dreams, heroes, superheroes, characters/beings from fiction, or people who are alive, or long dead, are available to be selected to help you!. I am still unable to summon them, as yet, but I realise that all those figures are part of me: one thing you can do is just keep fighting: persevere, and resist)!. I also suggest that you try the technique of dream re-entry, and, just after lights out, visualise yourself, as vividly as possible, confronting your attacker: demanding to know why you are being attacked, and demonstrating that you are prepared to defend yourself, if they don't go away and stop bothering you!. It is important to want this with as much desire as you can muster, to better convey the message to your subconscious mind!. Include this on the piece of paper you put under your pillow!. Many people report reduced anxiety levels, after taking up yoga, and t'ai chi probably has similar benefits!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
One thing I know for sure as a counselor that what you don't deal with during the day YOU will deal with in dreams!. Do you talk to anyone that caused the Post Traumatic issues!? If therapy isn't an option what about a self help group of other individuals that have had similar experiences!. Another good way to start dealing with these nightmares, is to keep a journal of all your dreams!. Keep a journal next to your bed and when you wake up scribble down what you remember!. Don't deal with it then-go back to sleep and deal with it in the day light!. Good LuckWww@Answer-Health@Com
PTSD left untreated can progressively get worse!. I would seriously reconsider the medication issue!. In the meantime, I hope that you are obtaining therapy for the PTSD!. Over time, the nightmares will lesson with treatment, but this is one for the professionals!.
You can try writing about your nightmares if they are the recurrent kind and see if that gives you any relief!.
Good luck,
TexWww@Answer-Health@Com
You can try writing about your nightmares if they are the recurrent kind and see if that gives you any relief!.
Good luck,
TexWww@Answer-Health@Com
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix that is going to stop you from having nightmares!. Nightmares are a sub-conscious result of us not properly handling our fears consciously!.
Maybe you don't want medication, and it's often unnecessary for people with PTSD!. However, what is necessary is you seeing a mental health professional who can help you deal with these feelings!. All the herbs and teas in the world will not make these nightmares disappear!. You need help in overcoming the issues that are having such a negative impact on your sleep!. (And probably your life as well)!.
Therapy is not a universal thing!. Different therapists and counselors use different techniques in helping their patients!. You need to find someone who helps you the best!. (Even if that means switching therapists a few times)!. The popular conception of therapy is that of the classic talk therapy; a client, a couch, and a psychologist with a notepad and pencil in hand!. While some approaches do utilize this method, there are numerous types of therapy that can be used to help a client overcome problems!. You can read about some of them here: http://www!.mayoclinic!.com/health/psychot!.!.!.
You say you're willing to try anything!. So try therapy! I guarantee you once you work through the underlying issues, your nightmares will go away!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Maybe you don't want medication, and it's often unnecessary for people with PTSD!. However, what is necessary is you seeing a mental health professional who can help you deal with these feelings!. All the herbs and teas in the world will not make these nightmares disappear!. You need help in overcoming the issues that are having such a negative impact on your sleep!. (And probably your life as well)!.
Therapy is not a universal thing!. Different therapists and counselors use different techniques in helping their patients!. You need to find someone who helps you the best!. (Even if that means switching therapists a few times)!. The popular conception of therapy is that of the classic talk therapy; a client, a couch, and a psychologist with a notepad and pencil in hand!. While some approaches do utilize this method, there are numerous types of therapy that can be used to help a client overcome problems!. You can read about some of them here: http://www!.mayoclinic!.com/health/psychot!.!.!.
You say you're willing to try anything!. So try therapy! I guarantee you once you work through the underlying issues, your nightmares will go away!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
before i answer i dont know what PTSD is so hope i can help a little bit!. i feel really sorry for you, i have trouble sleepin (its not serious) but i hate it!. im really not sure wot u can do!. without medicine i dont know cos thats the best option really, u should go to counsellin or somethin cos usually theres a deeper reason if ur havin lots of nightmares!. u could google it and see what new medicines are out there if u dont trust the one ur takin now!. also if put lavender underneath ur pillow, its meant to help u sleep better!.Www@Answer-Health@Com