nightmares result of depression, or medication or my own fears?

[witheredrose]

Hi,
Im sorry for posting again, first i would like to ask if there is a limit to how many times you can post within a certain time period? Not that i plan on bombarding the forum with posts ;) It's just that I already posted a week ago and im already posting again.
Well, the problem is every night i have been getting these nightmares lately, each one is different but there about the same thing, where i am being killed by my own loved ones. In lasnights dream, i was down at a creek trying to catch a crawdad, somehow, i slipped and fell in and went under water. When i tried to resurface, I couldnt. It was like something was holding me down. I felt hands around my neck, and i looked up towards the surface and seen arms, and i struggled to see more through the rippling water, i seen the face and it was my mothers face. My own mom was drowning me in my dream! I dont think she would ever EVER do such a thing, or my dad. They have never been bad to me and theres nothing that could of triggered these. Its not just them o have them about, its always the people im closest too.
I feel so guilty having these dreams, because i know nobody would do that kind of stuff to me. Im afraid if i say anything about them everybody will be mad at me. Are they results of depression, or maybe a side effect from medications or  because im afraid of everybody hating me?I just want them to stop, im tired of having them, and then waking in a panic trying to catch my breath. Is there anythimg i can do before bed at night, to make them not happen. Any practices, rituals...ANYTHING! I am willing tp try anything you throw at me i just want it to stop.

[witheredrose]

Yes! I agree 100%!
And thank you!

[RainLover71]

NG is a great person and a CL who has helped many people here at medhelp being a qualified nurse.I believe you have a great artistic talent and should focus on that aswell.You said that your climbing tree is a great place to escape.Spend time there and find yourself--you have a bright future and are highly educated aswell.I hope all goes well for you.

[witheredrose]

Okay, ill get up the guts to tell doc..hopefully. Its a strange subject for me, especially to talk about in person!!!
And Rainlover71, I already know theres great people here, silly. You and nursegirl are one of them!! ;)

[nursegirl6572]

Your Mom would think nothing of it, other than that it was a dream.  Don't get stuck in overthinking this sweetie.  Don't ever be afraid to tell your doc things that are going on, too.

If I remember right, you have a few different diagnoses?  That may be complicating the dreasm thing for you.  I would definitely mention it to the doc.  Some meds that are more activating can cause very lucid dreams and nightmares.

[RainLover71]

you are not evil or creepy,you are just a normal teen going through a rough patch at present--please don't be so hard on yourself--there are great people here at medhelp that will always talk to you when the times get tough.You can always talk to me because as a teen I went through a similar experience.

[witheredrose]

Thanks so much for the replies! I dont want to seem like some evil creepy person, and im afraid to talk to the docotor, anytime something new comes up I always am. Thats part of why im so thankful I found this site, because now I can come here and ask first. All day today ive been thinking about it thinking what would my mom think of this!! If you were my mother and I told you this, what would you think?
Ive always had strange dreams, but ive just started these ones and thats kinda of making me want to rule out the possibility of meds being the caus. Its been happening for a couple weeks now, maybe I should just face the docotor about  it as much as I dont want to...im always afraid something is going to make him deem me crazy and ship me off again.

[nursegirl6572]

No, there's no limit, hon.  You post as much as you like.

Dreams can be very disturbing.  Anything and everything in your life can affect dreams.  Fevers, stress, anxiety, depression, ALL kinds of medications, diet, sleep disorders, sleep apnea, certain life scenarios occupying your mind, etc.  Our minds continue to go while we're asleep, and the quality of our sleep is affected by things like stress and depression.

I notice when I'm more stressed, I definitely have way more vivid dreams, and the subject matter of my dreams is more negative in nature.

As disturbing as a dream may be, you just have to remind yourself that it isn't reality.  If you've noticed, too, that you'll feel more upset and bothered by a bad dream right after you wake up.  That's because you're switching gears to a fully awake and functional mode.  Your brain is still foggy, and the impact is fresh.  As your day goes on, it becomes less and less upsetting.  The best thing to do when you've had a scary dream is to remind yourself that it isn't real...and distract yourself...get busy doing something.

If this becomes a more frequent issue, talk to your doctor.  You may need a med adjustment.

[RainLover71]

You can post as many times as you like and your dream--nightmare sounds scary.I think they can be a side effect of depression or even medications aswell.Alot of people complain about medications being the cause of nightmares or strange dreams,it's not uncommon at all.I think you have to realize that in reality that no one is out to hurt you and that your family loves you dearly.Hopefully you will have some nice dreams from hear on in.