1. Community
  2. Symptoms
  3. Sleep Problems

Continuous vivid dreaming

Posted , 4 users are following.

paul_33483
paul_33483

Just wondering if anyone has had similar experience?

I'm 32. Up until Dec 14 I used to go to bed at 10pm and wake at 6. I fell asleep within minutes and didn't dream excessively. I slept right through and felt refreshed.

Then in December 2014 I noticed I was dreaming more. By March 15 it was every night and it felt as though I was up all night. In Oct 15 I was put on 15mg mirtazapine which I've been on since but I'm tapering down and on 7.5mg now. The dreaming is constant. Every night. I went to a sleep clinic and was diagnosed with hyper-vigilance and told that I need to see a psychologist. I'm already seeing one and she believes that CBT will help.

I just can't see an end to this. I've had a rubbish sleep every night now for almost 2 years. I've had numerous other tests/scans done and all are normal.

Can anyone help or has anyone else suffered with this?

Thank you

Paul

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • borderriever
    borderriever paul_33483

    Posted

    paul

    There are three phases to sleep and it looks like there is a disruption that needs retifying. We all dream at night although only one stage is actually remembered.

    Sometimes they try and alter your sleep patterns with medications and this is the case here. Talk with your two Spcialists like your CPN she may have Relaxation Techniques that can help your relax and feel better in control with this condition.

    Do you feel there is something that is causing these problems, if you can become familiar with the cause, the recovery may just be around the corner

    BOB

    • paul_33483
      paul_33483 borderriever

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Sleep specialist said my brain isn't "switching off". I'm dreaming the same as everyone else and my sleep pattern is normal, it's just that I'm able to recall my dreams.

      This has lead me to feel anxious and depressed. I feel ok now that I know what it is. Not sleeping properly for such a long time was worrying me. It's relentless though. Even when I'm on holiday abroad it's the same. I genuinely don't know what the problem is. I'm not worrying about anything

    • borderriever
      borderriever paul_33483

      Posted

      paul sorry yes it will make you depressed

      With me they bang me out with medications, I takes Opiates and they can really do my head in. What type of medications you take now. Sometims ADs can have  some problems when we go to bed as well.

      I use several techniques to sleep, one I learned ion a Mental Health Hospital called the Maxwell Technique it works on the clutter of our thoughts and it seems to work well for me.

      Your CPN or CPN may have tapes or can introduce you to Mindfulness.

      I was taught how to close my mind down before sleep and that seems to help me as my condition is Pain that carries on during the night and I need to close my mind off from it.

      Just a thought

      BOB

    • paul_33483
      paul_33483 borderriever

      Posted

      Bob,

      I'm on 7.5mg mirtazapine before bed nightly. These are meant to keep me in a deep sleep. I think they work but from say 3am onwards as I'm in more REM sleep, I'm recalling all my dreams. They feel as though I'm actually experiencing them all. When I wake up, I can think about the dream and be aware that I was dreaming but fall asleep again and carry on in the same dream.

      I'm aware of mindfulness and practice mindfulness through meditation as well as general mindfulness.

      I've never heard of the maxwell technique so will look into this along with closing my mind down before sleep- is this what the maxwell technique helps with?

      I feel as though at night my body is tired but my mind is hyperactive and becomes even more active than throughout the day.

      Thanks again for taking the time to reply to me.

      Paul

  • nathan72763
    nathan72763 paul_33483

    Posted

    I started the same age as you Paul im now 70. Poor sleepers think about it and thought is energy. Ive fought my sleeping pill adiction and went down everyhoilistc treatment possible but all of this fed the problem.

    2 years ago i thought im too old now to matter so i ask for zopiclone 7.5 mg.

    i cut them in half with 7.5 mirtazapine. If i wake up a few hrs later i take the other half. I no longer dream much and i dont fight anymore. I put my tablet next to me and listen to stories on utube ie spiritual( not religious) mainly.

    for 40 years i was terrified to go anywhere unless i coulnt sleep i never do morning appointnent or else im awake waiting for daylight. 

    Over the years it just got worse and i got to the point that if i dont stop the thoughts i will be doomed. Things are better now than over 40 years.

    problems with sleep is hell and all cosuming i have been terrified to go to bed and no idea how to go to sleep it was horrendous now i just take the pills.

    • paul_33483
      paul_33483 nathan72763

      Posted

      Hi Nathan,

      I manage to sleep ok in terms of actually falling asleep. I just wake once and fall back asleep quickly but I dream constantly...

      The dreams are so vivid and constant it's as though I've been awake all night.

      It's as though my brain wakes up at night and has a mind of its own.

      Thank you for taking the time to reply to me

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.