1. < Sleep Health

Disturbing, detailed dreams

Posted by sallyharper @sallyharper, Apr 13, 2018

Anyone else have disturbing, detailed dreams every time you go to sleep even for a nap? I wake up screaming sometimes which is horrific. This has been going on for several years now and makes me dread sleeping. Also, often accompanied with horrible headaches which has been a lifelong issue. Would appreciate any input. Thanks!

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sallyharper | @sallyharper | May 15, 2018
In reply to @rubyjane "Hi, Sally, I also periodically have vividly colored dreams that have such fine detail that I..." + (show)
@rubyjane

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

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I’ve wondered about being hypnotized. Anyone have any experience with it?

REPLY
robbinr | @robbinr | May 15, 2018
In reply to @rubyjane "Hi, Sally, I also periodically have vividly colored dreams that have such fine detail that I..." + (show)
@rubyjane

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

Jump to this post

A qualified Hypnotist is difficult  to find.

 

REPLY
sallyharper | @sallyharper | May 15, 2018
In reply to @rubyjane "Hi, Sally, I also periodically have vividly colored dreams that have such fine detail that I..." + (show)
@rubyjane

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

Jump to this post

That’s what I’m finding.

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | May 15, 2018

Hi, @sallyharper -- so sorry to hear that the dreams are still scary. You asked if I have any sleep/dream issues. I don't happen to have any dream issues (I have not recalled my dreams in some time), and I sleep just fine -- just sometimes I don't allow myself enough of it. I need to make getting more sleep a priority. I sleepwalked as a child, but thankfully I don't do that anymore.

@rubyjane -- thank you for sharing your experiences and insights regarding dreams. Fascinating that you at times can even read print in a magazine or sign in your dream. I am terribly sorry to hear you were abused by your father as a child. I'm glad for you that you've come to a point in your life where you've been able to face it and work on healing the authentic you. I imagine that would indeed be a process.

The change in sleeping location tactic you've used after a bad dream sounds like it's been effective, which is great. It's a really good tip for others who have disturbing dreams, as well. It's also very interesting that dreaming time helps you to come to terms with how you feel and how you'll move forward when an event or conversation in the present upsets you. @rubyjane -- do you feel that you've worked through some of your past with your father's abuse in your dreams?

Thank you, @robbinr, for your input on the question @sallyjane had about the possibility of being hypnotized. I'd like to invite @kozlo52 @chicagomichelle @maggie45 @daveseeks01@kingarthur @cedarfirefly @gman007 and @georgette12 to join this conversation, as they have mentioned hypnosis previously and may have some insights about how it went and about using it for disturbing or scary dreams.

@sallyharper -- also interesting about your son-in-law who does acupuncture and the herbs he gave you that made it seem as though a small part of your brain got rest that you hadn't experienced before. Wondering what he gave you and whether the dreams with the deep sleep they provided were still disturbing ones, or not as much?

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1 reply
dandy | @dandy | May 16, 2018

I'm glad this was brought up. I've been having dreams where I'm soaked in sweat, wake up with a headache on the left side of my forehead. My husband says I do a lot of talking in my sleep. When I wake up out of one of those dreams, I feel drugged, dizzy, disoriented and fatigued all day. Getting tired of it...no pun intended.

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1 reply
yoanne | @yoanne | May 16, 2018
In reply to @parus "@sallyharper Not knowing your history it is hard to say what may be causing thus. I..." + (show)
@parus

@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.

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@@parus
maybe a medication can be a cause for hallucinations. I had to stop metoprolol (b-blocker) and take another one (bisoprolol).
yoanne

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suzmay | @suzmay | May 16, 2018

I too dream very vividly and a lot of action often. My counselor is a Jungian analyst and they’re big into dream interpretation. Many of mine have been scary and fearful, signifying danger. This has been common in my sepsis recovery. It has been recommended that my dreams tell me I’m pushing myself too much and it just amazes me the till this illness has taken on my body, and just how much rest it needs. As I treat myself more kindly and compassionately as prescribed above, my dreams are less fearful. Rest, prayer, meditation all healing. Today I was encouraged to take fish oil which helps with inflammation. This may help the brain

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1 reply
Texas Freedom | @oregongirl | May 16, 2018

I would see a Neurologists ASAP. Maybe you already do. I am not familiar with your illness.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 16, 2018

Hello @sallyharper

I just noticed this discussion about vivid dreams. Some meds can cause vivid dreams. I once took Metoprolol (a beta blocker) and had vivid dreams. Also some neurological disorders, like Parkinson's, can cause vivid dreams. Here are some links regarding vivid dreams and Parkinson's:
https://forums.webmd.com/3/parkinsons-disease-exchange/tip/5
http://forum.parkinson.org/topic/14567-vivid-dreams/

I would encourage you to also talk with a physician who is a sleep specialist and have a sleep study done, if you have not done so already.

Teresa

REPLY
sallyharper | @sallyharper | May 17, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @sallyharper -- so sorry to hear that the dreams are still scary. You asked if..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @sallyharper -- so sorry to hear that the dreams are still scary. You asked if I have any sleep/dream issues. I don't happen to have any dream issues (I have not recalled my dreams in some time), and I sleep just fine -- just sometimes I don't allow myself enough of it. I need to make getting more sleep a priority. I sleepwalked as a child, but thankfully I don't do that anymore.

@rubyjane -- thank you for sharing your experiences and insights regarding dreams. Fascinating that you at times can even read print in a magazine or sign in your dream. I am terribly sorry to hear you were abused by your father as a child. I'm glad for you that you've come to a point in your life where you've been able to face it and work on healing the authentic you. I imagine that would indeed be a process.

The change in sleeping location tactic you've used after a bad dream sounds like it's been effective, which is great. It's a really good tip for others who have disturbing dreams, as well. It's also very interesting that dreaming time helps you to come to terms with how you feel and how you'll move forward when an event or conversation in the present upsets you. @rubyjane -- do you feel that you've worked through some of your past with your father's abuse in your dreams?

Thank you, @robbinr, for your input on the question @sallyjane had about the possibility of being hypnotized. I'd like to invite @kozlo52 @chicagomichelle @maggie45 @daveseeks01@kingarthur @cedarfirefly @gman007 and @georgette12 to join this conversation, as they have mentioned hypnosis previously and may have some insights about how it went and about using it for disturbing or scary dreams.

@sallyharper -- also interesting about your son-in-law who does acupuncture and the herbs he gave you that made it seem as though a small part of your brain got rest that you hadn't experienced before. Wondering what he gave you and whether the dreams with the deep sleep they provided were still disturbing ones, or not as much?

Jump to this post

An Mien Formula is what I took. Only got that rested brain place the first night I took it. I have headaches and can’t take supplements on a regular basis. Switching from Prozac to Zoloft on trial basis to see if it helps my dreams.

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