nightmares

[Jp124]

Hi

Does anyone suffer with really bad nightmares post postpartum psychosis/coming off anti-psychotics? I was also diagnosed with PTSD after my psychosis.

I’ve just had 10 months of therapy so learnt some mindful techniques to try and help, but wondered if anyone else has experienced similar and has some helpful tips or suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Jp124, I am sorry to read you are experiencing nightmares. They can be very vivid and do get your heart racing when you suddenly wake up, don't they? My memories of nightmares when pp was not too far behind me is still with me. Mine revolved around my daughter and fear of becoming very poorly again. Pp is a traumatic experience and if you add birth trauma to it, it can be very debilitating. I also found my nightmares came when I went off the medication, perhaps because the sedative effect of the anti psychotic put me in a different sleep state where I was less likely to dream, I am not sure about the scientific backing of my claim, but that's what my intuition tells me.

The nightmares became less frequent for me as time passed, and now 5 years on I haven't had one for almost 2 years, and rarely think about them. I am sure it will be the same for you, although that is less of a consolation while you are in the midst of it.

It's very positive that you have received therapy for such a long time and that you are finding the mindful techniques helpful. Was your therapy specifically targeted to PTSD?

Know that you are not alone in this, many of us have been through the same but it does get better

Maria