Dreams/nightmares and not sleeping.

[NickM450]

Don't really know if this is the right place to post but didn't know where else to ask.

I've been having nightmares recently, every night I seem to wake up in a panic, heavy breathing and a real feeling of being scared. I can not immediately get back to sleep, the panic I feel is real, silly fast heartbeat and shortness of breath.

I remember some but not all, the most recent two have included a demonic fire that chased me and an unknown person up a building then engulfing the other person whilst making a bloody scary noise. The second was last night and rather disturbing, short version is that I had a rifle and shot people, adults, kids as well as launching grenades at them, very graphic and realistic

Is there a reason, do they mean anything? I'm getting rather sick and tired of the lack of sleep, it's starting to effect my daily life (I'm a HGV driver).

Edit for spelling

Edited by NickM450 on Monday 3rd July 18:38

[Jonmx]

Is there any stress in our life at the moment, or have you been through anything traumatic at any point in your life? Either of these things could be to blame. There are many other things that can also affect your sleep pattern, and if you're not falling into a deep sleep then dreams and other sleep related experiences can be altered. As you're a professional driver and good sleep is vital to you I'd recommend having a chat to your GP about it and also do some reading about wellness and sleep patterns. It sounds a bit hippy but can be very effective at improving things.

[NickM450]

There have been some major changes to be fair and I'm not feeling all that 'happy' but I thought that was just life. Also have a real problem with myself, I must be the most self doubting person ever, I properly do not see any good in myself, be that looks, personality or anything. Almost to the stage where I hate myself, didn't think that was the cause though as the nightmares, on such a regular basis, started fairly recently.

According to my fitbit type thing, not very accurate I know, I get very little deep sleep (30-60 mins) and average around 5 hours a night total.

[mike74]

I also go through periods of having nightmares, or maybe I have them all the time and there are periods where I just remember them more clearly.

The nightmares don't seem to have any particular recurring theme or pattern just generally scary or stressful stuff.

I'm a bit of a miserablist in general and wouldn't exactly describe my life as 'fantastic',,, but otherwise I wouldn't say I've had any hugely traumatic or stressful events at any point in my life to trigger them.

I think nightmares are just a normal part of our brain function.

[kev b]

Sounds like you may have Obstuctive Sleep Apnoea.

I used to wake up in the night, heart racing, sweating badly, often had a dream about being shut in a small space/buried alive etc. Never woke up feeling rested often aching badly.

Underwent a sleep study, prescribed a sort of gumshield to keep my airway open and I feel loads better.

Look up OSA

[C0ffin D0dger]

Also if you have caffeine during the day (tea/coffee/coke etc.) try laying off it for a bit. Booze not good for a decent nights sleep either.

[NickM450]

Cheers folks, perhaps a visit to my GP would be a start?

I o my drink at weekends but do consume coffee through the day, only around 2-3 cups though.