How to get rid of nightmares
 

Since my teen years I've had various nightmares. After I decided to move back to my hometown for school about a month ago, they got worse. I'm getting several a night, some recurring some more random, some specific and some more symbolic, yet all seemingly related to bad choldhood experiences. I'm starting to think moving here was a bad idea but it's done now and too late to move away again. So can anyone offer advice on how to get rid of nightmares?

I'm sorry your having nightmares, I know how distressing they can be sometimes. I've had nightmares regularly for almost 20 years, recently they've been more frequent and have been having them 6-7 nights a week for almost a year now.

I've no idea how to get rid of them, I don't really think you can, I think it's your sub-conscious mind's way of processing thoughts, memories, day to day life, fears etc.

I think there are things you can do though to reduce the possibility of them happening. Are you in any sort of therapy for the bad childhood experiences? I've found working things out and processing them in therapy makes a difference. Also things like not watching anything too stimulating on television before bed, or reading anything like graphic fantasy, sci fi or horror etc before you go to bed.

Sometimes a relaxing routine before you go to sleep can help, so maybe having a long bath, then listening to some relaxing music with a cup of herbal tea or hot chocolate can help. I like green tea or camomile tea personally.

I've found writing can be a good outlet of thoughts and an effective way to vent and process memories, feelings etc. Personally I've found it reduces the likelihood of me thinking about things more if I've already spent time writing about it and processing it that way.

Hi.

I only have a small piece of advice. I have done a course in trauma counselling, where they explained nightmares. The advice they gave was to, when you wake up from a nightmare, to only go back to sleep when you've completely calmed down. This is because the nightmares cause your brain waves to alter and many stress hormones to be released. If you go back to sleep while these are still active, your body responds as though it is still being traumatised. If you never relax, this releasing of stress hormones gradually gets worse and worse.

I hope this helps a little.

loe on words, but wanted to post as in my signature there are some links that may be of help to you

I've found this to be useful too, I usually get up and have a drink and then try going back to sleep once I feel more calm.