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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saw on October 11, 2004, at 3:51:21
My hypervigilence has extended to my sleep aswell. I can't sleep for more than a half hour without waking up / partially waking up with a huge fright. I don't even know if it is dream related. My whole body jerks and my heart just pounds.
I had horrible dreams last night of being tied up with chains on a beach and getting raped. It was graphic and vivid and the person raping me was bigger than my but my younger brother. (I don't have a younger brother). This might sound odd, but I can remember thinking how "small" he was. He did not cause me pain in the rape though I can remember I felt terrified. He continued to torment me and physically abuse me throughout the rest of the dream which took a completely different turn. It is not the first time that I have dreamt of being assaulted (always a face I have never seen before). I know I tried to wake up and had many heart stopping frights, but somehow was powerless to. Not the most restful sleep. At one point I woke up hitting my husband. I remember dreaming about hitting my son. Lucky for him though, he didn't even wake up.
These dreams are just horrible. I can't even begin to try and understand them.
I'm sick of the hypervigilence too. Now that it is prevalent in my sleep, I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack soon. My chest physically pains from the fright.
Made me very tired and grumpy today.
Sabrina
Posted by partlycloudy on October 11, 2004, at 4:39:04
In reply to Horrible nightmarish, hyper night, posted by saw on October 11, 2004, at 3:51:21
I had weird dreams for the first few months on effexor. Then I stopped dreaming (or remembering them, rather) and just in the past week have I started to dream again.
At least you're awake now.
Posted by Jai Narayan on October 11, 2004, at 6:34:37
In reply to Horrible nightmarish, hyper night, posted by saw on October 11, 2004, at 3:51:21
> My hypervigilence has extended to my sleep aswell.
**I used to be hypervigilant too. I have been working with EMDR and that's the only therapy that has helped. I still have sleep difficulty but it's better. I have had rape dreams as well. I was molested as a small child.
I used to be so hypervigilant that I would burn with fear after a bad dream and not be able to go back to sleep for the entire night and then that would have an effect for the succeeding night. I used to make sure there was no one in the closet, under the bed behind the door....before I could go to sleep.
> I'm sick of the hypervigilence too. Now that it is prevalent in my sleep, I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack soon. My chest physically pains from the fright.
>
**the chest pains are painful. I know I've had them.
One of the most important things to do when you wake up with all that fear....breathe...take a full complete breath then let it out gently...do this 6 times. Then imagine yourself completely surrounded in a loving blue & white light for protection. If you can do those two things when you wake up...it may help your heart to slow down and get some rest. I know I feel better after breathing but the protection is what I craved.
> Made me very tired and grumpy today.**well I don't blame you for feeling grumpy...just take it easy today, if you can. take a nap today if you can. Do you have a CD that helps you rest and feel safe? I have one called Rest & Relax. I like to hear her voice telling me that I am going to relax.
I am sending you gentle caring energy today, Sabrina
:) Jai
Posted by AdaGrace on October 11, 2004, at 9:45:09
In reply to Re: Horrible nightmarish, hyper night, posted by Jai Narayan on October 11, 2004, at 6:34:37
Ever since I have been on Lexapro, I have been dreaming again. However, nothing as horrific as yours. We have mice in our house and I can hear them at night. The other night I dreamed we caught 4, and they were huge, like rats, and they were still alive in the traps and my husband started to feed them and taunt me with them. I think he was feeding them kit-kat bars in fact.
Anyway, I am sorry that you have dreams like that. Being awake hopefully helps you clarify that they were only dreams.
Hope today is better for you.
Posted by boomarang on October 11, 2004, at 10:58:15
In reply to Re: Horrible nightmarish, hyper night, posted by AdaGrace on October 11, 2004, at 9:45:09
yikes! Dreams like that really take their toll. It seems whenever i have nightmares like that it has been associated with my ssri. I have actually gone off two them just because the nightmares were so horrific. The nightmares stopped. Although i did wait a long time on each of the two to make sure it was the ssri.
sending sweet dreams your way.
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