Thread: Help me please

The way you're talking about feeling paralyzed and unable to move your real body, it almost sounds like what you're suffering from isn't just nightmares, but sleep paralysis.

In normal nightmares or lucid dreaming, you wouldn't be aware of your real body at all. When you can feel your real body, and are somewhat aware of the real world, but still have some dreaming senses, and still have the paralysis that keeps you from acting out your dreams in real life, that's sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis often comes with a sense of extreme terror and sometimes even with horrible hallucinations, so if this is what you have, it's understandable that you'd want it to stop.

Sleep paralysis is much harder to stop than normal nightmares, but it's possible you might be able to make it less likely by improving your sleep cycle and your diet. Reminding yourself that it's completely harmless might also make it less terrifying, as sleep paralysis isn't always frightening. Some people intentionally give themselves sleep paralysis to enter lucid dreams, and the majority of them don't find it to be terrifying, so maybe just understanding it and trying not to see it as frightening might help. Otherwise, there's not much else you can do on your own.

If I'm wrong, and you know for sure that it's not sleep paralysis, but regular lucid nightmares, than solving it should be much easier. First of all, many people unconciously develop the ability to naturally realize that they're dreaming in order to make it easier for them to deal with nightmares. Getting rid of this lucidity won't also get rid of the nightmares, in fact, It'd probably make them much worse, since you wouldn't know it's only a dream anymore. However, lucid dreaming can be used to end nightmares without too much difficulty. I suggest you read this guide, it has some good advice for overcoming nightmares with lucid dreaming. From experience, I've found that in nightmares, fighting or attempting to escape (even by waking up) only makes it worse, and the best outcomes happen when you just focus on the fact that it's only a dream, and thus completely harmless.

If you are having nightmares because you have PTSD you should ask your doctor about being treated with Minipress. It is a on old, cheap blood pressure medicine. Its ability to end PTSD-related nightmares was first noticed in VA hospitals. It works, it has few side effects, and it is very inexpensive (less than $10 a bottle).

Whaver is causing your nightmares, I recomend that you take a few steps to help you feel safer while asleep. If you are a religious or spiritual person I suggest praying for safety and a sense of comfort while sleeping. If not, meditate on your desire for safety and imagine a protective, comforting barrier. Before bed take some time to relax. Breath deeply. Imagine the feelings of peace, comfort, safety, and quiet inner strength. Repeat to yourself over and over that you are safe. Try your best to let go of any anxious feelings. Try to imagine how you would feel after a night of restful, nightmare-free dreams. Imagine how your body and mind would feel. Try to create the sensation you want when you wake up in the morning.

If you do find yourself in a lucid nightmare remind yourself it is a dream. Think about how a dream is created in your mind. Then I suggest turning and confronting the source of the fear -- wether it has a physical form or not. Ask it why it is harassing you. Tell it to stop.

I feel for you. I have struggled with horrible nightmares, too. I know you can beat them and get good, rejuvinating sleep. Good luck!