Thread: Help me please

I've had lucid dreams since I was a teenager. They've become more frequent as I get older. I do not wish to have lucid dreams.

I've tried taking sleeping pills such as Unisom, in hopes that they would stop, but it doesn't work.

I know that for many people, they are enjoyable. But please understand that I do not have them by choice, and that is a very troubling feeling.

I would welcome any advice!

Why don't you like to know your dreaming?

I don't know of any way to stop them from happening if your that much of a natural.

I guess you could try to lose all dream recall so that you don't remember them. I take it your recall is pretty good though. Most people don't even remember their dreams unless they want to.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

The reason I dislike it is because it always occurs during nightmares. At some point, I wake up consciously and realize I'm dreaming.

I try (rather pointlessly) to do something in real life to wake myself up. I try to move a toe or make a tiny whisper or open my eyes. I'm completely paralyzed. Although I know my husband is sleeping next to me, I can't get him to realize I need to wake up.

When I finally do wake up, I can't go back to sleep for hours, because I often fall right back into it. I'll get up and watch TV or do anything I can to get out of that dream mode.

Instead of trying to wake up try simply changing the dream. If you hone your skills then you can either fly away or change the dream.

Usually simply closing your eyes should wake you up. Try that, don't worry about your nightmare hurting you, if you've realized that it's a dream then you know that it's not real.

Grunkie, for me it is worse than not knowing it's just a nightmare, because the paralysis and inability to wake up are scarier than any nightmare I've had!

Ninja, I've only been able to change the dream successfully one time. I was being chased, and first I tried the usual things, like moving a toe, or screaming in my sleep to wake my husband so he can wake me. Then, I tried something new--I jumped off a cliff! Then I woke up. That was the only time I was able to control the dream.

Closing my eyes--I have never tried that and definitely will!

do you hate LD or do you hate nightmares?

i agree with Caradon too lazy to quote properly:
"being Lucid is the best way to handle a nightmare."

Originally Posted by Mrs. Jones

do you hate LD or do you hate nightmares?

i agree with Caradon too lazy to quote properly:
"being Lucid is the best way to handle a nightmare."

I hate the lucid dreams because I've had so many nightmares.

It's like being attacked by a dog and then having a fear of dogs. Of course, not all dogs are mean, but you have a deep-seated fear of them because of bad experience.

By the way, thank you to all who have replied. I sincerely appreciate everyone's advice!

Originally Posted by Make it Stop

The reason I dislike it is because it always occurs during nightmares. At some point, I wake up consciously and realize I'm dreaming.

I try (rather pointlessly) to do something in real life to wake myself up. I try to move a toe or make a tiny whisper or open my eyes. I'm completely paralyzed. Although I know my husband is sleeping next to me, I can't get him to realize I need to wake up.

When I finally do wake up, I can't go back to sleep for hours, because I often fall right back into it. I'll get up and watch TV or do anything I can to get out of that dream mode.

I HATE THAT!!!!!!
That used to happen to me every single night! Now it still happens but I figured out a way to beat it.. and it actually happens less now..

If you are willing to use sleeping pills then you can do this:

1)When you are in bed and you can't move any parts of your body, I'm sure if you put ALLOT of effort into it you'll be able to barely move your legs or your arms. Just slightly enough to have some more controll.

2)After that you will need to sit up.You will probably feel really tired and will feel like you don't have the energy to get up out of bed, but tell yourself that you NEED to sit up. Remember to not take too long because you'll keep telling your self that and before you know it you'll be asleep again and you'll have lost controll of your body again. So hurry when your doing it.

3)Once your up, get out of bed, and walk around your house or something. Anything that will really prove that you are not limited anymore, and do that for about 5 minutes. And try to lose dream recall.

4)Usually after that, you will not feel tired at all, and will not be able to fall back asleep. That's when the sleeping pills come in. Take some sleeping pills and you'll fall back asleep.


I don't know if that'll work for you but it worked for me. I'm trying to be able to controll my dreams again.

Keep telling yourself that you don't want to lucid dream... People here are gonna try to convince you to enjoy lucid dreaming...

Look around the forums, there are many threads that explain how to deal with nightmares... I would purchase The World of Lucid Dreaming by Stephen LaBerge because there's a section in there that deals with nightmares... You should get the satisfaction of experiencing pleasant lucid dreams...

*I'm not sure how to spell Stephen LaBerge

The reason I dislike it is because it always occurs during nightmares. At some point, I wake up consciously and realize I'm dreaming.

I try (rather pointlessly) to do something in real life to wake myself up. I try to move a toe or make a tiny whisper or open my eyes. I'm completely paralyzed. Although I know my husband is sleeping next to me, I can't get him to realize I need to wake up.

When I finally do wake up, I can't go back to sleep for hours, because I often fall right back into it. I'll get up and watch TV or do anything I can to get out of that dream mode.

Strange, conquering nightmares is one of the popular reasons for people to START lucid dreaming. I'm afraid I don't have any advice though.

Originally Posted by Grunkie7

Strange, conquering nightmares is one of the popular reasons for people to START lucid dreaming. I'm afraid I don't have any advice though.

Yes, I've been researching that and saw that. How ironic!

To be honest, I'm at a point where I don't want any lucid dreaming, even if it is pleasant. I absolutely hate the feeling of paralysis and not being able to wake up. So please, if there is a way to just not have them at all, I would strongly prefer that.

I just woke up from one, so I'm a little hysterical right now. Please forgive me if I sound like a lunatic!

Originally Posted by Make it Stop

To be honest, I'm at a point where I don't want any lucid dreaming, even if it is pleasant. I absolutely hate the feeling of paralysis and not being able to wake up. So please, if there is a way to just not have them at all, I would strongly prefer that.

I just woke up from one, so I'm a little hysterical right now. Please forgive me if I sound like a lunatic!

Your problem may not be the lucid dreaming itself but may be the fear. Fear can wreak havoc on many things in life, not just lucid dreaming. Maybe if you control your fear your lucid dreams wont be a worry anymore.

Hmm I see. Actually being Lucid is the best way to handle a nightmare.

I've faced them many times. often once you overcome a recurring nightmare while Lucid, it does not come back. At least that's how it usually is for me.

Next time, once you realize your dreaming try to relax and know that there is nothing that can harm you no matter what. Because your really safe in bed sleeping.

When you know your dreaming, you have the ability to take charge and overcome any problem. Once you do this a couple times, you will have confidence and it won't bother you anymore. And you can just have some fun.

Edit:

Sorry missed those last couple of posts. I really don't think there is a way to make yourself not know. but I don't know everything. Maybe talk to a doctor and see if they can give you something to suppress recall.

But I never like to recommend drugs as a solution. It would be much better to overcome the nightmares on your own.

Originally Posted by Make it Stop

I've had lucid dreams since I was a teenager. They've become more frequent as I get older. I do not wish to have lucid dreams.

I've tried taking sleeping pills such as Unisom, in hopes that they would stop, but it doesn't work.

I know that for many people, they are enjoyable. But please understand that I do not have them by choice, and that is a very troubling feeling.

I would welcome any advice!

I think you're one of the, as people say, "Naturals". It means you Lucid Dream all the time even if you don't like it. I don't really know much about being able to stop, but I do know that people's suggestions are correct. If you close your eyes, blink really hard, you'll wake up. You can try that, or, summon excitement, if you summon excitement and possibly anxiety you will wake up for certain, works all the time for me. But that's only if you really have to wake yourself up, only saying, because I don't like waking up in the middle of the night, I start to sweat, I remember being sick once for some unknown reason. But no, that was a completely different story, the food I had was so overwhelming it made my stomach cry and I woke up in the middle of the night, went to the toilet and let's just say, it wasn't a nice experience. Sorry, I'll carry on with my god like advice now while I stand on my big rock.

But I don't think you want to wake up. I'm sorry to say but I don't really have much advice for you, other than to just let the lucid go by without even trying to do anything. Or here's something, try going to sleep in your Lucid Dream! That's something you could try, but there is always the risk of waking up in another, heh. Don't worry mate, I'm sure it'll all work out safe and sound.

Try going to sleep in my dream! That is an interesting one that I will definitely try next time!!

Hey, it can't hurt~

Originally Posted by Make it Stop

Try going to sleep in my dream! That is an interesting one that I will definitely try next time!!

Hey, it can't hurt~

That's the spirit.

Reportedly the most effective medication for treating nightmares is currently considered valium. I would try other non-drug suggestions first, but if nothing else is working I think this is worth a shot, a psychiatrist would have no problem prescribing you some if you honestly describe your situation.

Just tell yourself I won't have a lucid dream if your not confident you won't have them keep telling you self I won't have a lucid dream it's like the oppisite of trying to have a lucid dream hope that helps.

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!