Night terrors causing physical injuries

[Caseopia]

I have been experiencing night terrors for many years due to ptsd. I've been told I scream very sad things and when I've woken up, so far I've had a broken foot, torn meniscus, torn shoulder and bruises like I get beat. I do know I hit myself in my sleep and don't know why. My therapist recommended i voice record myself through the night to see if there is a pattern. I don't think I can do it. I can't handle listening to it. I just intended from tonight and I'm in tears. Why am I like this? I'm a danger to myself in my sleep. Can anyone relate?

[kenster1 Volunteer]

hi I get them as well hurt but not broken any bones thankfully.

[012703060610]

As another trauma survivor, all I can say is this sounds somewhat normal. I wish it wasn't to the extent of bone breaks for you or even bruising. I can't imagine. The power of our dreams/nightmares is intense and feels like you are truly reliving something dangerous or life threatening. Scary as all can be. I feel fortunate that my night terrors wake me mostly in cold sweats. However, I have started a higher dose of sleep medication and it seems to help a bit. I track my sleep with a watch and I am finally getting some deep sleep versus light sleep. Likely not the answer for all, but getting zonked out has put some of the vivid dreams at bay.

[Nathalie99 Partner]

I have extreme nightmares but don't get injured. I am so sorry you are having severe injuries in your sleep...

I agree that recording and listening to it would be traumatic and could make things worse.

Does your therapist specialise in PTSD or is it more of a general therapist?

It sounds like severe ptsd and I think you need more support.

I remember talking about reducing the severity of my nightmares by solving the issues causing them during the day. For me it meant facing trauma, finding a method that helps and having enough support around me to get through very tough trauma therapy facing and processing those things.

I agree with you that recording would be too traumatic.

[Mamamichl]

my partner has ptsd and adhd. He has nightmares that are similar. He grabbed me by my hair and screamed at me, and I’ve gotten punched many times. For a while, we tied him up with intimate silk rope and it helped him. Usually he remembers those dreams vividly.

We tend to play musical beds since I’m a light sleeper, but it helped to know 30% of couples don’t sleep together. Know you aren’t in this alone. Also know just because the doc wants you to record it for her, doesn’t mean you have to listen to it too. You could also ask to get what is said in writing if you need to process it. It helped me with processing without retraumatizing. Zen hugs.

[SavingGrace Administrator]

Hello Caseopia.

I'm so sorry that this is happening.

I do have night terrors and I've been told I shout out in the night time - occasionally this has woken me up. I don't know what to suggest - other than I have worked hard to ensure that my home is a safe place at night-time. I prefer living in a flat on the first floor, for example. I have a dog. I ensure that my home feels like my safe place overall... as best I can and, I try to nurture this space.

All I know, is that during our sleep, it seems that our subconscious mind/self works to resolve and understand/process our waking lives... that is what I have come to understand, anyway.

And so, that's why I do my best to support my sleep patterns. Getting to bed at a regular, routine time etc.

Do you sleep throughout the night or have insomnia?

[WildernessMAn]

Helli Caseopia

[WildernessMAn]

It appears that at a deeper level , insixe thw unconscious Mind many of us have difficuly sleeping Well.. my former wife use to tell me how much i tossed and Turned as i slept through the night, as if i was fighting somebody. Well in my case was my biological Mother who happened to be a Female Batterr.