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Bad dreams, ptsd, abusive relationship.

l-jc
Community Member

Hi everyone. Last year I finally got out of an abusive relationship that went on for over 3 years. he was my first ever partner. he was mentally and physically abusive. since then i've had trouble with sleeping and my dreams. In day time I am fine, but when I go to sleep I either have dreams about my ex attacking me or running after me, or threatening to kill me like he would in real life. or I dream of blackness and I start hyperventilating and sonetimes I silently scream to the point where it hurts and my body aches when I wake up. I sometimes cry a lot in my sleep and wake up in a sweat. is this ptsd? i'm on anti depressants but I still have these dreams. it's really starting to affect me. Should I see a counsellor or is this something a doctor should know about?

4 Replies 4

Migalu_H
Community Member

Hi l-jc

ive been through similar. Your not alone.

Counsellors can be good to talk about whats happening for you and they can give you stratergies to help for those times. Its also worth chatting to ur doctor about as well, as it could be ptsd.

I personally found talking to counsellor and seeing gp helped me with my mental health after leaving my ex-husband who was extremely abusive.

counsellor n gp can help and i would suggest go and see them.

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear L-jc~

It does not really matter what label you give it, you are in a bad place and need help. For what it's worth I have PTSD, plus other things, and your nightmares sound very familiar, though I had different reasons. I'm not a doctor so can only say what I have.

I really think you need to see your doctor and have not only the medication but therapy as well. See if you can be diagnosed. If it is PTSD them you will need therapy by someone used to dealing with it, maybe a psychologist or a psychiatrist with the right experience. See what your doctor says. That's the start.

There are many people who are like me and have not had confidence they can explain things clearly face to face. I'd suggest in that case writing it all down first and then booking a long appointment with your doctor. Use the paper to help make the doctor understand and ask to be tested to see if you have PTSD.

You sound rather alone. When feeling like this it really helps if there is someone you can talk to and say how you feel. Do you have any family or friend like that who will care and want to help? I found a family member (my wife in fact) and talking made a lot of difference.

To find out more about PTSD have a look in The Facts menu above which has plenty of information about Anxiety, PTSD and Depression, its causes, symptoms and treatments. Have a read before you see a doctor.

There are many here who like you have been unlucky enough to have been in an abusive relationship. If you browse around this Forum you will see how others have coped.

You sound in a tough situation, I do hope you feel welcome enough to come back and talk more.

Croix

Annie90
Community Member

I am in the same boat except it was 14 year relationship i escaped from down to to day last year. If im not occupied my mind instantly starts thinking about all the things he did to me! Its horrible i lay in be crying and hyperventilating at night 

Hi there,

 

I got out of similar situations with past marriage. It took a while for the nightmares to subside, and I still do get them but it’s rare now. 

Have you thought about specialist domestic violence counseling? Social worker or similar support team?