How can I stop my dreams?

[Vampiress88]

I have these nightmares every other night about an attack that had been happening since I was twelve and I just recently let someone know about  the attack. and it has gotten to the point where I don't want to sleep anymore because the nightmares are getting to be too much and I think about the guy who did that to me every single day. I take medicine for depression and insomnia, but I just want these dreams to stop. I can't stand them anymore. is there anything I can take to stop dreaming?

[ShellRAWR]

You'll find in time... you'll have less and less of these dreams. I got sexually attacked 3 years ago, and it was only 'til early this year that the dreams stopped. I found that I couldn't sleep at night time unless I was on sleeping pills/medicine.

In time things will get better for you.

[Vampiress88]

I have been seeing a therapist for as long as I can remember. I am on anti-depressants too. yes, the dreams only started after I told. and yes I have a few people I can talk to. I astral projected last night and I didn't have a nightmare. My therapist signed me up for a women's group therapy secession for women who have been abused, but that doesn't start until September.  thank you for posting.

[Steph4302]

It sounds like you may have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a direct result of the attacks that you have experienced since childhood. One of the features of the disorder is re-experiencing the attacks through flashbacks or dreams. Have the dreams started only since you recently told others about the attacks? If so, then it is possible that talking about them have triggered the emotional reactions that you had when you were attacked. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Your mind is trying to process the events and work through them.

By avoiding the issues and, in fact, by wanting to stop the dreams (another form of avoidance), the feelings that you have about the attacks are just being  maintained. One of the key ways to get over past traumatic experiences is to work with a therapist who uses Cognitive-behavioral therapy. The therapist will have you work through your experiences and teach you positive coping mechanisms that will likely reduce or eliminate your nightmares. Also, an anti-anxiety medication might be of more help to you in comparison to an anti-depressant. Both might be better as well.

[empathetic]

I'm no doctor but I'm pretty sure that stopping dreaming would be a bad thing, disrupting the bodies natural sleep cycles in a way that wouldn't be healthy.

It sounds as if you have taken control of your life by starting to talk about this traumatic event so you can start working through it. Do you have someone to talk to that can help more, perhaps even going to see a therapist of some sort that can offer solid professional advice.

I have read that whatever you are thinking about or doing right before falling asleep will affect how your brain functions while sleeping. Have you tried doing something as you fall asleep that would distract you such as crossword puzzles, reading, etc.? The only other thing I can think of would be to look into learning some meditation techniques that you could use anytime you are feeling anxious.

Be strong. You can get through this.