... to ask if anyone else has constant bad dreams?

[Dieu]

Hi everyone
Just for once, it would be nice to wake up in the morning having had a pleasant dream, but it never seems to happen. In my daily life, I am a generally nice and easygoing person, so I can't understand it. In the past couple of nights I have dreamt such gems as being pregnant with my ex husband's child, and a teacher at my children's school abusing the kids (I should add that it was a made up teacher, not someone real at all). I am sick of it. I love my sleep and have no problems sleeping, but I can't understand all these over-the-top vivid, depressing dreams.
I thought there might be someone on here who possesses a better understanding of these things than I do!
Thanks for reading.

Thank goodness someone has confirmed what I always thought, that the anti malarial drug I took causes night terrors. I have them regularly. It's horrendous. But probably worse for my DP who has to endure my sweaty, screaming self in the night. I found that sleeping with some light on helped me.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Here's where I have to admit that my bedtime routine is very poor indeed. Most evenings I fall asleep on the sofa in front of the television or with book in hand, then haul my sorry ass off to bed when I wake at 3am. More often than not, I manage to fall asleep straight away. Sometimes I still have make-up on, teeth unbrushed, contact lenses in ... and feel ghastly as a result. I am simply too tired at the time to do anything about it. It has occurred to me a hundred times that I would feel better if I adhered to a proper (grown up) bedtime routine. I do not know why I frequently put up blocks to what I know is good for me. So there you go. Tonight I will do it properly and report back tomorrow. I will buy some multivitamins and try that too. To answer someone else's question, I don't drink much tea at all. Maybe 2 cups a day max? The other thing I'm very bad at is keeping myself hydrated, and I think improving this would in turn improve my health overall (physical and mental).

I used to have very vivid, upsetting nightmares - wasn't depressed or ill, no medication.

A friend mentioned to me that she always had nightmares when too hot. I didn't think I was as I never felt sweaty or hot, just snug, but decided to swap my lovely fleecy PJs for a thin t-shirt and it worked! I'd say it's been 90% resolved - the nightmares have gone from 1-2 times a night (waking, then going back to sleep and into another nightmare) to 1-2 a fortnight.

I always wear a bit less or have a thinner cover than I would ideally choose, and sometimes feel a little cool going to bed, but I sleep better for it.

That's an interesting idea, Penguin

I'm the same, op. Never any good ones. Ever. Also terrible, constantly broken sleep, in little, up to an hour long chunks. I am dreadful at sleeping!

I've tried a lot of stuff and nothing has worked. It's definintely worse when I'm anxious or under stress. I've never been a big drinker but I've noticed the times I've not drunk at all (training for longer runs, and now I'm pregnant) It's eased a little. Not much, but a little.

We still don't understand why we dream, biologically. There's a theory that it's to do with consolidating the information we receive whilst awake into our long term memories. Personally I think there's also an element of hashing out our fears and worries, kind of practising them?

I look at what my dreams tell me - for example, being chased, or overwhelmed, or drowned could mean I'm worried about something in real life.

Finally, I'd encourage you to get referred to a sleep clinic. Just to check for physical reasons. It's totally painless and quite fascinating - you get hooked up to a billion electrodes and they monitor you as you sleep ( their verdict with me was, " well, you're really healthy, you just don't sleep much.."

Also have a good work up at the docs. High or low iron levels (ask for serum ferritin) can do this, as can thyroid issues. Have a medication review and think about when the issue started, did anything in your life change then?

Good luck, and if you ever find the magic bullet let me know!

Penguin - yes, I find that too. I sleep with the windows open (even in the winter in sweden!)

I'm another one that always has exhausting, horrible violent dreams, and I too never feel like I DON'T dream. Dieu I also dream regularly about houses too, but my house in my dream is always unsecure... gaps and windows where people can get in, unknown and unexplored dark areas.... very fear inducing (to me anyway!!)

But I have worked out why this is for me, and it is drinking alcohol before bed, or drinking too much during the day. If I have two alcohol free days the bad dreams start to ease. I think because alcohol affects sleep patterns it causes you to stay in the "dream" phase of light sleep rather than allowing you to progress into deep sleep, making all your dreams feel long lasting and extremely vivid.

Not suggesting you're a boozer like me but could alcohol have anything to do with it? Even a couple of small glasses of wine before bed could affect you if you're particularly sensitive to the effects xx

Hi Jovial. Not much of a drinker at all, but that theory would make sense otherwise!

Hi op

The neglected room in your dreams and your not wanting to go in there, is more than likely a reluctance on your part subconsciously to deal with a past issue or trauma.

Your dreams are messages from your unconscious telling you there is unfinished business that needs dealing its and putting to rest. I'll hazard a guess abusive ex partner, or child hood abuse not really dealt with, apologies for possible triggering in this op.

Like cinders I wondered if you might be a bit depressed. Perhaps without realising it.

I dream of shit..literally
Its always rows of dirty toilets and I'm looking for a clean one - dreamt this for years! Anyone else?

I posted a thread about this a few weeks ago. I always have dark, sad dreams. No reason such as meds or poor sleep hygiene but I really wish I could have better dreams. It's so miserable waking up with a heavy feeling thinking about the last dream.

Alcohol helps with me tbh :) means I sleep straightaway without dreaming! Sadly alcohol disagrees with me in so many other ways.

I'd love to have mine interpreted.

I have bizare horrible, disturbing dreams. For no obvious reason.

DC dying are the worst ones.

They are worse when I'm anxious during the day, and then because I've woken up in the night terrified, I'm even more anxious in the day. It's a vicious circle.

I have had dreams like full cinematic experiences during periods of poor sleep.

They are quite enjoyable in themselves, but I'm never rested after them.

Definitely menopause caused some, but most recently Benylin Day & Night - fuck it has really affected my sleep this week, I've taken it since Thursday for a bad head cold. I woke for the day at 6am today (day off - I usually sleep till 9) & have been like the Duracell bunny all day.

I gave caffeine up completely in the last 6 mths & my sleep really improved, I wonder if my body chemistry is now more sensitive to any stimulants at all due to this? No more Benylin for me.

I always have horrendous dreams, all night long and rarely seem to not dream