Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Sleep issues

I woke up one day to discover my boyfriend sleeping in a separate bed.  I asked why and he said that I was physically aggressive in my sleep.  He told me that I was shaking and making funny noises and when he touched me, thinking I was having a bad dream, I physically attacked him, pointedly at his groin.  He tells me that after I attacked him to my satisfaction, I got up, had a drink of water, and went back to bed with a smile on my face with my eyes closed all the while.  I do not remember this.
Now, I have had a history with sleep walking as a child, as my dad would tell me that my feet would end up on the pillow and there would be ‘wet spots’ outside in the snow (apparently I had to go to the bathroom in my sleep).
I must also mention that I do fall asleep well but, ever since being a teenager…perhaps younger, I would wake up every three to four hours.  To have a full night sleep was so rare, it was most strange to have not woken up in the middle of the night.  Also, there have been times, more common when I was a teenager, where I would wake up in a state of horror and be unable to move.  This would happen three times a month as a teen…and now only occurs a few times a year.
I have been diagnosed a version of ADD and has shown symptoms of depression based on having a terrible history of physical abuse (as a child) and rape and associated physical abuse as an adult.  It’s been a few years since anything traumatic has happened to me yet I am still having these adverse side effects.  Not being able to afford (and having too much pride) a counselor, how can I get some real sleep at night without throwing punches?
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
681148 tn?1437661591
Don't worry about it.  So many more things are related to neurology than some might think.  ADD is actually neurological in nature.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ha...I figured out that this post is very much in the wrong community! sorry!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks! That helps.
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
Hypnotherapy and hypnosis called 'Hypno-Analysis' helps many people with physical, emotional and sexual abuse issues.  Sometimes this may take a few sessions.

Without seeing someone, perhaps you can write down everything that you had to deal with.  When you are done, you can lock it away or burn it. It's like a type of cleansing of the mind and soul getting all those thoughts out.  This is like a personal councilling session.

As for your state of horror and not being able to move, this is called sleep paralysis.  Various factors increase the likelihood of sleep paralysis including sleeping in a face upwards or supine position, increased stress, sudden environmental/lifestyle changes, a lucid dream that immediately precedes the episode, excessive consumption of alcohol coupled with lack of adequate sleep.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain involved in the regulation of several processes including mood, emotions, sleep, appetite, memory and perceptions. Serotonin is the precusor to melatonin (sleep chemical).  In the case of stress (short term & long term) there will be sooner or later shortage of magnesium, calcium, zinc, B vitamins and vitamin C. All of these nutrients are essential for creating serotonin.

Symptoms of low serotonin levels include:

Anxiety
Fatigue
Depression
Pre menstrual syndrome
Problems in thinking, concentrating and decision making
Scatterbrained and poorly organized
Needless feelings of unworthiness and guilt
Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities
Loss of sexual interest
Social withdrawal
Emotional sadness and frequent crying spells
Low self esteem and self confidence
Sleep disturbances
Chronic depressive disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Fantasies of escaping
Developing a need to change your life panic eg: midlife crisis, divorce
Preoccupied with experiences that may have happened years ago
Bulimia
Alcoholism
Loss of appetite/weight loss or a craving for sweets and carbohydrates
Headaches/migranes
Violent temper
Anger and aggression
Poor impulse control
Panic/agoraphobia syndrome
Thoughts of harming or killing others
Self harm
Suicidal thoughts
Suicide

The following factors can cause low serotonin levels:

* Artificial sweeteners (aspartame)
* Caffeine
* Cigarette smoking
* Diabetes
* Ecstasy, diet pills, and certain medications
* Chronic opioid, alcohol, amphetamine & marijuana use
* Hormone imbalances (thyroid, adrenal, estrogen)
* Hypoglycemia
* Insulin Resistance
* Inflammation
* Infections
* Poor diet
* Lack of exercise
* Lack of sunlight (lack of vitamin D)
* Problems converting tryptophan to serotonin
* Problems with digestion (low stomach acid is a major issue)
* Stress and anger
* High cortisol levels (stress hormone)
* PCB’s, pesticides and plastic chemicals exposuree
* Under-methylation - folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 deficiency
* Iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, B3, B6, folate & vitamin C deficiency
* Glutathione deficiency
* Genetic serotonin receptor abnormalities
* Human growth hormone deficiency
* Progesterone deficiency
* Impaired blood flow to brain
* A lack of omega oils
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease