Nightmares

[starsandmoon]

Content warning: mention of firearms

Ok. So there is a topic I constantly and frequently have nightmares about. Well, I have done a bit of work on it and it's not quite as bad as it used to be. I frequently hear random gunshots in my head during in my sleep. It carries over into waking life. And there was a point where I'd go ballistic if people brought up the topic around me. The strange part is that the only bad experience I've had that is any way gun related was hearing one go off unexpectedly. That was a while back. It just feels disproportionate to react to that so badly.

But here we are.

[Croix]

Dear Starsandmoon~

Welcome here to the Forum, A good place to come as many have somewhat similar circumstances involving PTSD.  In order not to distress others I"ll not make specific mention of the phenomena you referred to but will talk around it. That does not mean I'm belittling in any way your experience.

Anything unexpected that could be harmful can have a pretty long term effect on its own, and experiencing it again in your dreams or awake is not unusual. I have a much closer association with that matter and as someone who has had PTSD partly as a result, and partly from other matters do have it come up at times.

As for going ballistic, if my mind is already overloaded by thoughts put there be the PTSD then it is full and has no room to cope with a person at the same time, and this can lead to anger.

You are right it does get better with time - or so I have found. May I ask  if you are having clinical assistance for you PTSD and also these nightmares?

I have had several tihngs recommended to me, the first being medication to get rid of the nightmares, unfortunately although others reported success in my own case I had an adverse reaction so it could not be used.

Secondly was to try to think through the repetitive nightmares and imaging happy endings. It was probably a shortcoming in me however I was not able to apply this, others again have reported some success

The third was to keep a journal bedside the bed and write down the details of the nightmare as soon as I woke up. This did give me something to discuss with my psychiatrist as I recorded more detail that I would remember later.

If one gets caught in unwelcome thoughts of past experiences when awake I've found the best thing has been ot mention them to my partner at the time who puts them into proportion. Do you have anyone you can talk it over with?

Reliving events asleep or awake does not mean they are faithful to what actually happened. While they may be deeply upsetting htey the not mean the particular scenario in that particular dream actually happened - things get twisted.

If you would like to talk some more you would be welcome

Croix

[starsandmoon]

Hello,

There's a particular issue I want to talk about. But the details might be distressing to others on here and I'm not quite sure which forum would allow it.

Anyway, hi again.

[starsandmoon]

I have a decent amount of education behind me.

But I have no job. I've never had one.

How do I stop myself from feeling like a failure at life?

[white knight]

Hi, welcome 

Lack of confidence has different origins for different people. You could have the best upbringing but still lack self esteem. You can have a good education but not be able to replace a fuse in a car. You could be smart but not know you have a mental illness or if you did you could believe you can tackle it alone.

So that's a snapshot of the issues we read here. It's also justification for professional contact to isolate the problems with the aim of advancing for a better life.

I'm opposite with employment having had over 90 jobs and 15 professions, i used to be manic, I'm now retired. So ive met many people in the workplace. Some remain in one job all their lives and due to insecurity can't see themselves leaving. Others like myself couldn't stay longer than 3 years. Except when I found a job not needing a boss, I stayed in my own business 18 years my last job. So I'm saying, as individuals we should try to accept some of us don't fit into the norm, we can't all achieve employment stability.

However, it's needed to financially survive and personally grow. Apart from professional therapy to get to the root cause of lack of confidence, searching for your natural abilities is crucial to job satisfaction. What are/were your hobbies, interests, abilities? What line of education? Would you consider joining the defence services if healthy? What has restricted you in seeking work? Are you encouraged by others to get employed?. Do you aspire to buy a house, new car etc?

I'm here daily so when you reply I'll see your post immediately. 

TonyWK 

[Morph]

Hi.  Rather than post on a forum here, maybe give the Beyond Blue team a call?  I'm sure they will be able to assist you.

Take care.

[Croix]

Dear Starsandmoon~

You said you had a particular issue you wished to discuss but did not know if it was suitable for the forum.

This forum FAQ (on left had side of every page) states that if you have a question that is not answered  in the FAQ you can email:

modsupport@beyondblue.org.au.

I"d suggest you send them the exact post you wish to publish. They can tell you if it is ok, or needs alteration , or is unsuitable. I have done this in the past to seek approval.

If you cannot or do not wish to use the forum you can contact our 24/7 councilors who may be able to help with the problem itself or make recommendations.

If you would like to say how you go that would be good

Croix