Nightmares off antipsychotic

[GuestYD]

Hi all

I have just gone off my antipsychotic med and I have suddenly started getting really graphic nightmares. I wake up feeling scared. Do you think there is a link between going off my med and the nightmares?

[MsPurple]

Hi Little Cavvie. Welcome to the forums. I want to ask you if you got medical advise when you went of your antipsychotics? Did your Dr suggest it and supervise it? I suggest you talk to your doctor about this. I think there maybe a link especially if has happened since coming of them. I think you should talk to your doctor. I know how frustrating being on medication is because there are some side effects, but I suggest you talk to your doctor before discontinuing any. I have had to change some in the past and my doctor supervised me and reduced me slowly. Hope this helps.

I also find that if I am having bad dreams it can be what I watched before I went to bed. Try stay away from horror tv shows and movies before bed. I watched Kyle's interview on the ABC last night and he said his car got stolen, that night I dreamt my car got stolen. The mind is a funny thing with memories and what it chooses to dream about

[GuestYD]

Hi MsPurple

Yes I do need to talk to my Dr. I was on medium dose then went down half and then the rest last week. My Dr told me my antipsychotic doesn't have withdrawal symptoms so should be fine without it. Hopefully can get to sleep tonight (I'm feeling scared) and be ok.

[MsPurple]

I understand your pain. I maybe not on the same medication but I have had the nightmares and have avoided sleep because of it before. I also was told vivid nightmares (well not always nightmares but disturbing) was a rare side effect and I was the lucky one to get it. Sometimes it happens. I found that when I was worried about it before sleep that it was worse than when I went to sleep not worrying about it. Not sure if it was coincidence or not. I guess I'm like Harry Potter, I fear the fear itself. I'm more scared of being scared in the dream not the actual dream (because it can't hurt me). Hang in there.

[GuestYD]

Update: went back on my antipsychotic and I've not had the nightmares since.

[MsPurple]

Hi Cavvie. I'm glad the nightmares have stopped. I know how horrible disturbing dreams and nightmares off. Unfortunately although some side effects/withdraw symptoms are rare we maybe the unlucky person that it happens to. Hopefully you and your doctor can make a plan that works for both of you 🙂

[geoff]

hi Little Cavvie, sorry to interrupt but each one of us can have different reactions or side-effects to each medication we take, because none of us are the same and don't go by the book, but if your nightmares have stopped then that must be good for you. Geoff.

[GuestYD]

Hi Geoff

Yes, I'm pretty happy that's the case. I am positive that help me and I don't have any major side effects on them. No weight issues which are common complaints with antipsychotics. So I'll stay on them, unless my psychiatrist has a really good reason to get me off them.