I am ever so glad you felt the blessing of joyful sleep for as long as you did. I came of age with nightmares so horrific that my dreams made sleep feel like the greatest danger in the throw away kid camp. I suffered allot of sleep deprivation in those days and it took intensive psychotherapy to get me past them. That was back in the bad old days when drugs were not considered the only solution to whatever ails ya.

Dream talismans and mantras were my first step away from that sorrowful state. A dream talisman is an object so familiar to you that you can recognize it in that befuddled state of which you speak. The mantra is a short, comforting phrase which is equally familiar. My first was, "This, too, shall pass." I like four syllables which I can put into rhythm with breathing exercises. Two syllables on the intake, two on the out take.

The next additions were a simple glass of water, a spiral notebook and a pen by my bed. The water to wash the taste of the nightmare out of my mouth. I get horrific flavors in my mouth from nightmares. The notebook and pen were my dream journal where I recorded the dreams rather than my business as usual of jumping out of bed in a hysterical state. When I couldn't remember the dream, I recorded the feelings I woke with. That dream journal eventually morphed into a sort of therapy guide offering valuable clues to where my next therapy sessions needed to focus.

It was much harder than popping a pill, but it worked. I now know the joy of a good night's sleep and, girl howdy, I think I understand the sense of deprivation you feel just now. It would break my heart to lose that simple joy at this point in herstory.

Gentle support while you find what works for you, Don. May your simple joy be returned to you soon.

@don Cornelius, I am glad to hear that your bad dream panic attack passed. there are lots of things that a person can do even if half asleep from a dream. For instance, try taking a couple deep breaths slowly. drink water, sit on the side of the bed and turn the light on. prayer helps too. I have done a study on dreams and it is a reflection of your fears and desires. not always using the same places or people. Hope this helps you. let us know how it goes and what you do to help get cope with panic attacks. there are many more things to try but those are the easiest when half a sleep.Hugs

That all makes sense. It’s weird though cause I have to spring into action and calm myself down. I totally agree about dreams being manifestations of our feelings. For me it’s mostly about fear. I tend to have the same type of dream that I’m in a confrontation and I take it for as long as I can and then I finally snap back and that’s when o wake up. It’s always the same setup, just different situations. I tend to let people walk over me. I think that I’m just tired of everything and don’t want to deal with a confrontation. Definitely not a physical one since I’m a big guy and I know I could hurt someone. I don’t want to do that, but it’s not all about that it’s mainly cause I don’t want the extra stress. Funny thing is i can remember every detail of a bad dream but only small parts of a good dream. The few times I have a good dream. Even those turn bad if I stay in them long enough. Like I dreamed I was on a cruise and everything was fine and all of a sudden I turn and I don’t see anyone.