Nightmares

LegacyUser

Any suggestions of what to do about frequent nightmares?

It happens a couple of nights a week. I'll have about two hours at night where I have a short but terrifying nightmare, wake up, go straight back to sleep, have another one, etc. There's usually no recurring theme, but they are often really strange and disturbing, and terrifying at the time.

As soon as I have one, I know it'll be followed by several more. I just had one a few minutes ago, but I knew if I stayed in bed, I'd have loads more. So I'm going to try sitting up for an hour, then going back to bed, see if that helps. Even if it did, though, it's far from an ideal solution. Can't be having broken sleep like that on a regular basis.

This is a new thing in recent months. I had been quite stressed when they started, but I dealt with that at the time and I'm really not at all stressed at the moment ... but the nightmares still happen.

Merkin

You poor thing, that sounds awful. I love bed so I can't imagine dreading it like that A number of sleep disorders (like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome) can have nightmares as a side effect/symptom so if I were you, I'd go and speak to a GP who can refer you to a sleep clinic if necessary.

In the interim, warm milk helps raise dopamine levels in the brain so it would be worth having a mug before bed to help relax you. Definitely worth a try anyway but I would still go and speak to a GP.

neemish

Is there a common theme to the nightmares? Or do you have similar nightmares? They are often symbolic of what is going on in daily life.

Would you consider getting out of bed for a little while after you wake up the first time? It might help to break the cycle.

I know there is an old wives tale that cheese late in the evening can cause nightmares, but maybe look at your diet and see if there is a food you always eat on the same nights as nightmares.

alleystar

Have you started taking any medication in the past few months? I know some can lead to vivid dreams or nightmares.

December2012

You could go talk to a mental health professional about the stressful time a few months ago. It could have a lingering / subconscious effect on you.

ivytwine

I'd advise keeping a food diary as well- to see if there is anything strange causing it. Last week I had two or three Oreos with a cup of tea before I went to bed, two nights in a row. Both nights, I had horrible nightmares. Next night, no Oreos, no nightmares.

Would you consider also maybe writing down what had stressed you out when the nightmares started? I know you said you're over it, but possibly your brain hasn't processed it fully yet. Writing stuff down is incredibly cathartic.

Faith

Oddly, eating Special K at night causes absolutely horrific nightmares for me, so definitely keep a food diary. I was also triggered by melatonin tablets, which were ironically taken to improve my sleep.

RossFixxxed

Oreos and Special K? Wow, it's absolutely crazy what things can do to our brains isn't it? I'd never think of something like that as a potential for severe nightmares, the food diary idea is a brilliant one.

The common causes, from my limited experience are:

Traumatic event(s)
Stress
Underlying worry, anxiety of something upcoming
Taking new, or quitting old medications or any psychoactive chemicals really.
ALCOHOL (good God I'm glad I quit for this reason alone)
Food types, and how late I eat it.

Or really any situation that has gotten under your skin may be causing it. The brain is a massively complicated thing, and sometimes it is a jerk. The best bet is the food diary, but maybe don't limit it to food, include: Caffeine, nicotine, pot, booze, medication and so on and see if a pattern emerges!