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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Adult Night Terrors

3 replies

NTNT · 18/08/2023 12:35

My DP has experienced night terrors occasionally over the last ten years, we think sometimes in times of high stress, but it's been difficult to pinpoint specific reasons. These are usually intense outbursts, quickly followed by sleep and normally not remembered well in the morning. He didn't see a GP about them.

More recently, DP has been diagnosed with with another issue and has undergone the trial and error of finding the right medication.

The night terrors increased temporarily, which might or might not have been a side effect of the medication (possibly more the stress of the diagnosis and appointments) alongside other side effects which did seem to be down to the meds, such as headaches and erectile dysfunction.

He apparently reported the night terrors (he thinks he acknowledged that they weren't new) failing to mention erectile problems through embarrassment, and this was accepted as a reason to change again.

Now, he's on the last option, it's helping him, but the night terrors are worse. He throws things, grabs and hits out like he thinks I'm attacking him. My jaw got badly bruised last time and while he was appalled at what he'd done, he hasn't asked for help.

I want him to talk to the doctor and see if anything can be done, but he's frightened he'll be taken off the medication he needs (whether it's a factor or not).

OP posts:
DiscoDragon · 18/08/2023 12:45

There isn't anything doctors have been able to do help me and no medication that works in my experience. I've had regular night terrors since my teens and all through my adult life, I've had sleep studies at the hospital and I've been prescribed various meds including anti-depressants/anxiety meds and even epilepsy medication, none of which has helped in the least. Literally the only thing that has ever helped me is cannabis, which is not ideal I know but I'm past caring to be honest. My night terrors have caused really serious problems in my life, I've lost jobs because I've been so tired and stressed from constant interrupted sleep that I was always late to work. I've caused a lot of stress and anxiety to family/friends and ex-partners etc by waking them up screaming and freaking out 2/3+ times a night. Doctors have been no help at all sadly.

NTNT · 18/08/2023 13:03

I'm really sorry to hear that @DiscoDragon I must admit when I'm saying to see a doctor about this, I have no idea what they can do to help.

Up until now, the night terrors really hadn't been as severe as they clearly can be, and as an occasional thing that didn't seem to affect anything else, I understood his choice not go to the GP.

OP posts:
Shemightbeatriphazard · 18/08/2023 13:11

Comedian Mike Birbiglia talks about sleepwalking/night terrors, how it affected his life and what solutions helped. Might be worth a look at his standup or the movie- it’s interesting in itself but your DP might well find it persuasive in terms of seeking help.

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