Violent Sleep

LegacyUser

I have always been an odd sleeper. Ive been with my boyfriend 5 years and he is used to it. I talk in my sleep, sleep sometimes with my eyes open and will throw my arms about, Ive even texted in my sleep before. Sometimes it gets worse and I have kicked or punched him in my sleep normally can’t remember anything until he wakes me up – one time I did remember having a dream that I was fighting with someone. I sleep with a teddy bear that I hook my right arm around and that seems to sort the problem out as my arm stays still. I will sleep for 7 hours at least at night but am always tired when I wake up I feel like I did not fully sleep.

However this week things have gotten way worse. On Monday night I apparently kept feeling his face with my hand which is not too bad. Last night I was woken up with him roaring at me. Apparently I had put my thumb over his eye and pushed down and really hurt him. He is (understandably) freaked out and said if it happens again he will be sleeping in another room. I remember nothing until he woke me up. Unlike my normal arm throwing and the like this seemed to be deliberate like acting out a dream? I am terrified to go to sleep tonight and actually considering tying my hands to the headboard on my side to stop me doing anything. I don’t want him to sleep in another room but couldn’t live with myself if I seriously hurt him He has told me to get hypnotherapy or something. I know this kind of thing gets worse when I am stressed and I have been really stressed lately with work and organising things and yesterday in work was really stressful.

So please could anyone point me in the direction of someone who could help? Would hypnotherapy help in this situation or are there any sleep therapists / sleep therapy centres in Ireland? I am sorry if this is the wrong section to post in but I am at my wits end.

LegacyUser

Sorry to hear you're having trouble OP. I'd strongly recommend you talk to your GP about this, they should be able to point you towards appropriate help. There are various medical issues that could cause these kind of problems, and there are ways of dealing with them. A doctor should be able to assist.

D

Your doctor can probably recommend you to a specialist.

Terodil

There are specific 'sleep clinics' around, although I don't know how well Ireland is equipped with this highly specialised branch of medicine. I agree -- talk to your GP please before anything happens (blimey, almost gouging out his eyes...)!

LegacyUser

Thanks everyone.

I found a website about a sleep disorder clinic at the mater hospital I tried ringing several times today at different times but the number just rings out and goes to voice mail. Tried the main switch who said there was someone there - lol maybe they are asleep!

tried to get hold of a hypnotherapist in my area too but no joy I rang about 5 several times but again no answer at any of them.

My only option now is to go to my GP tomorrow and see if he can refer me anywhere. I was reluctant to go to him as he is lovely but wouldn't be great at this kind of stuff he will probably think its all in my head or try give me sleeping tablets! Im hoping he will take it seriously as its getting scary. I did find this article online which is extremely like what has been happening although without a diagnosis I cant tell!

http://www.tcd.ie/tsmj/archives/2007/REM.pdf

am terrified of going to sleep tonight now

LegacyUser

Some googling turned up these folks, who might be able to give you contact details for places to seek assistance (I appreciate what you're describing doesn't sound like sleep apnea, but they'll probably be able to point you in the direction of help for other sleep disorders);
http://www.isat.ie/index.html
See here for instance;
http://www.isat.ie/sleep_clinics.htm

Fiend-Foe

I have been experiencing something similar lately (although I've never gone for someone's eyes).

I've been freaking my Girlfriend and myself out by talking and shouting in my sleep, shaking and kicking and punching at the air. I have really vivid nightmares and night terrors every night and I've been sweating loads, I mean LOADS actually soaking the bed and waking up freezing cold.

Its actually pretty embarrassing because I'll end up soaking my poor GF too with cold sweat .

But the dreams I've been having are so intense and real feeling, some really bizarre stuff.

Have you been having dreams too? Or can you remember?

Nigel Farage

Texting in your sleep. That's a new phenomenon on me. It sounds like this is distressing you greatly so the time has come to speak to a specialist. There are some specialists listed on this site.

http://www.isat.ie/sleep_clinics.htm