Insomnia &/or lucid nightmares for over 1 month

**ruesia** · 08-18-2010 08:13 PM

I have suffered from extreme depression & nightmares since I was very very young. At age 5, I was taken to a specialist to explore my anti-social behaviors. I have always been very isolated and have always had lucid nightmares. In my dreams, I am cognizant of the fact it is a dream. I always know that the things I am seeing are not real, yet I do not have any control over them. I can tell myself "Wake up" and I do.

Due to an abusive relationship that lasted for 5 years, I underwent extreme mental degradation a few years ago. During the relationship, I had very lucid nightmares about death, including nuclear warheads exploding, my dead grandmother coming back for over 5 months EVERY NIGHT in my dreams, sometimes 'alive' again, sometimes rotting away, and other 'dark' ideas.

I have continued to suffer from depression my entire life, and have taken several medications, including sleep-inducers. However, I became dependent upon these sleep aids, and decided it was best for me to try other methods, although I was able to stop dreams and sleep through the night with the medication.

For over one month now, I have had incredibly lucid nightmares. They are usually about my ex-boyfriend, although I have not seen or heard from him in over a year. It is usually him telling me he hates me or trying to kill me. However, in the dream, while I know it is him, I 'feel' that it is my current fiance. I never dream about my fiance, though. I am set to be married in a year and very happy about our union. However, I cannot sleep at night anymore. I might sleep for a few hours, during which I have a lucid nightmare and then wake up and lay there unable to sleep. I have been extremely tired and I am working full-time and taking online college courses, so it is becoming a problem.

I am not sure if this is an appropriate location to post this, but perhaps someone has experienced this before or has suggestions. I have seen many specialists regarding my insomnia and my nightmares, but no one can suggest anything that has been productive.

I am looking forward to keeping a dream journal, as I think it will help me, and reading about other peoples dreams for reference. My dreams seem to be the cause for a lot of my anxieties, lately, and I am looking for any possible solution.

=)

**Rozollo** · 08-18-2010 08:35 PM

Interestingly, I have insomnia, and when I do nap, I get vivid dreams.

I worry when you say you are anxious from your dreams. You need to train yourself to relax before bed and convince yourself that you are in control.

How old are you, btw?

**Siphorix** · 08-18-2010 08:40 PM

First, that definably sucks, Im sorry. No-one should have to go through that. I have been there, to an extent.

Second, there are numerous studies and examples which prove that Lucid Dreaming, or Dream Awareness can not only rid you of your nightmares, but transform them into a pleasant, amazing, wanted experience.

Considering it's the dreams which are causing you a lot of your problems, you may be interested in learning DILD. That is usually the best method to start off with, esp for people who need to control a dream asap. DILD(Dream-Induced-Lucid-Dreaming) basically means that when you are in a dream, you are able to recognize that fact, become lucid and now have complete control. The downside to DILD is, you actually have to start dreaming, which can be problematic, considering one may have chronic night-terrors.

Another method is WILD(Wake-Induced-Lucid-Dreaming). Which involves with waking up in the middle of the night, staying awake, and entering lucid dream state without actually going to sleep. You can also do this method right when you go to sleep.

You will be able to find numerous tutorials here: dreamviews.com/f25/

Anything you are unable to find, or even for questions or opinions you might have, ALWAYS feel free to ask. Here at DreamViews, we have an excellent community of friendly people who will help you the best they can.

I wish you luck in you Lucid Dreaming voyage, and success in ridding yourself of these night problems.

**ruesia** · 08-18-2010 08:53 PM

Thank you for the input. I am usually lucid in my dreams and have not had trouble in the past either changing the dream, stopping the dream, or waking up, but its more that when I change a dream, I sense the shift and I keep waking myself up. My dreams aren't frigthening to me, if anything they are incredbily interesting, but I feel that I am so absorbed in them I am unable to get any real rest.

Also, TheKing, I am in my early twenties.

Thanks again for the input! I am going to try to be more productive/active in my dreams and perhaps I can get a more desirable outcome. =)

**Siphorix** · 08-18-2010 09:06 PM

I misread it then. You have complete lucidity?...

Many people think "Only your body needs rest", this is untrue! You conscious mind needs rest too. That's why when you are taking tests at school all day, your body will be doing nothing, and yet you will be soooo exhausted.

The nights that people Lucid Dream (if they have the time) will get more then the required sleep. This isn't because LDs take up more time, but it is because they are still mentally tired, that their mind needs a rest. Both mind/body go hand-n-hand. That's also why if you sleep 6-8hrs, while LDing all the dreams, you can still feel tired when you wake up.

I've "heard" that it is possible to put yourself to sleep in a Lucid Dream... You can end the dream / turn it off... I've heard that while you are lucid, if you go to sleep in your dream, the dream will actually go on idle, and you will sleep. I've yet to try this. You can also tell yourself that you want the dream to fade away, and you want to sleep.