Disturbing, detailed dreams

@contentandwell Thank you for mentioning this. My primary suggested 10 mg-waaay too much. I know this now. I do have nightmares due to past trauma. After talking with the pharmacist about meds and supplements-BINGO. The large dose of melatonin were contributing to the worsening of nightmares.

@sallyharper Not knowing your history it is hard to say what may be causing thus. I am an adult survivor of extreme abuse. I have PTSD and a dissociative disorder. Nightmares are terrifying and terribly disruptive to adequate rest. I hope the lithium helps you. Keep us posted as you can.

I made the horrible mistake of being so crazy exhausted that I took 20 mg of melatonin. Was way in left field for a few days.....wore my shirt wrong side out to get a pedicure and then to buy groceries. Never noticed until I loaded my groceries in the car. Bad thing is I still had exhausting dreams.

I was a little extra sleepy for a few days, but nothing else.

So very sorry about your abuse. Human inflicted issues are so hard to take......I had no physical abuse, but extreme emotional abuse. Mine aren’t always scary just detailed and go on and on. I’ve shared with my daughter who is a therapist and she gets exhausted just hearing all the details. Think the lithium is helping and plan to continue. Thanks!

@parus glad the lower dose has helped you. I do find I dream more when I take melatonin, even just 3 mg, but generally they are not nightmares, just weird dreams.
JK

Hi, @sallyharper -- I saw your post today about disturbing and detailed dreams and thought of you. Wondering how your sleep and dreams are going recently?

Thanks for asking. Still dreaming, but thought I was over the scary dreams. I spent the night at my sister’s and was told I hollered out “help me, help me.” Didn’t remember it. Do you have sleep/dream issues?

Hi, Sally, I also periodically have vividly colored dreams that have such fine detail that I can read what is printed on a magazine or sign in the dream. Mostly I am walking with a group of people--unknown to me-- with whom I am comfortable. Often times we are walking on a college campus or through university buildings. Generally I am seeking someone or a specific place. Sometimes I meet individuals I know and chat with them. Rarely I hear what they are telling me.

As a child I was sexually abused by my father. It took me many years to reach a point in my life where I could be brave enough to face that fact. Working on healing the "authentic me" is an ongoing process. Occasionally an event or conversation in the present will upset me enough that I need dreaming time to come to terms with how I feel and how I will move forward.

Odd as it might seem, I have found that if I have a very bad dream while sleeping in my bed I will choose to sleep on the sofa the next few nights. Neither place for sleeping is more or less conducive to dreams of any sort. Does the change in location of a resting place trigger a more relaxed and restful attitude? I really have no explanation. I am just relieved that I have an easy answer that allows me to get a night of restful sleep.

Bravery and persistence are needed to deal with abusive incidents that you have survived. Be as gentle and patient with yourself as you would be with a friend who is struggling with similar issues. rubyjane

What a kind reply. Sorry for what you have gone through, but it is comforting to know there is someone that totally understands. I have yet to find a place I know I will sleep better. The over the counter small dose of Lithium has been some help. My son-in-law is an acupuncturist and deals with herbs. He has been working with me and gave me some herbs that got me a very deep good night’s sleep. I still had dreams, but felt a small part of my brain got rest that I hadn’t experienced before.