I have asked this before but this time will put more info and short term it the best I can. start approx. 4yrs ago. was sexually attacked 1st yr living on my own & approx 7 mth later started getting only 4hrs sleep per night. 6 mnth later start sleep wlk-lasted only 6mth also waking up hearing knock on door-nobody there-did not sleep in bedroom for 2yr. moved. the 4hr cont'd also door.  had hit in face by drunk guy 1yr later-police give me incident number-phone them 4 days later & find out no report made just put down as domestic-didn't know person. Approx. 3yr mark on my own sleep problem continues with what doc called nt.terrors, was having violent dreams not just nightmares. Went to doc spec for dreams but dreams stopped. I feel perfectly normal in day & feel have dealt with issues-don't wake up with any of this anymore but now especially in last 3wks only sleeping max of 2hr per night.  I fall asleep very fast and wake up same. this is only prob now-SUGGESTIONS PLEASE
208167
I more than most anyone will understand what you are going through...I too was sexually assaulted for many years and I have also been gang raped and raped by a couple of others. I too sleep VERY little...I average around 3 hours per night. I have had and been diagnosed with night terrors for years, as well as anxiety attacks....ALL I can suggest is meditation, group therapy and xanax...at least these are the only LEAGAL things that have helped me...If you are so inclined you can e-mail me and I'll go into further detail, but this is what I hope will help you at this point.....Peace!
343426
Yes, Ambien was prescribed to me and my doctor warned me of memory problems, including what you're experiencing. Oddly enough, I don't remember the experience...lol, and Im not just teasing, I really dont. I took it for a month but it didnt help me to sleep very well or it gave me nightmares or something. But he said something specific about short term memory loss. Like forgetting where you put your keys, what you said in a conversation, etc...where you wont forget things like your parents or childrens names, or who you are...etc. Good luck! Also, maybe try just plain Ambien, not the CR. What that does is release all through the night making it impossible to sleep off all the effects of the drug! J
610628
That is exactly what this is. (post traumatic stress disorder)First off, if you know your attacker then turn the bastard in. He has no right to do that and not pay for it. Second, seek a peer group. There are others who have had similar experiences. Good luck with all of this
355406
This sounds like a phenomenon called sleep paralysis.  When you are in deep sleep, especially REM sleep when you are dreaming, your body goes into a partial paralytic state.  Most of your voluntary motions are paralyzed to keep you from acting out your dreams.  Occasionally, some people wake up mentally before their body gets the signal to wake up.  You become mentally aware and awake again, but your body is lagging behind in that partial paralysis.  It typically lasts for only a few minutes at most.  Most people report that it is a terrifying experience; they have no idea what is going on and can't move.  This can result in tremendous anxiety about trying to fall asleep, and often creates panic attacks.\n\nApparently, this condition is not harmful to you in anyway, except for the emotional trauma.  The next time it happens, stay calm.  Think to yourself that you are just in a different physiological state, one that few people ever encounter.  It will pass after a few minutes, and you should feel normal again.  Try to relax and let it run its course.  By understanding what is happening, you can be assure that you have no reason to panic.  Its just one of those little things you'll learn to cope with.\n\nYou can talk to a doctor if you want, but they probably won't do much if anything about it.  They will probably just give you a prescription for anxiety.  I encourage you to do some more research and look at online communities of other people with sleeping disorders for people who share your problem.  They will help you find ways to minimize the impact.\n\nAs for the connection of this with your uncle's death, I'm at a loss.  There may be some spiritual explanation for that as well.
573304
Oh my GOD!!! That has to be the saddest story that I have ever read on here. You poor poor fella. This is for you *A great big hug* If it helps I have some nice boobs. I hope the best for you, and you have to remember that Tomorrow WILL BE BETTER!!! It has to be. You should think about dumping that skank of a ho girlfriend You deserve a lot better and you know that you do, and you should think about going to the doctor and if you need a little help there is no shame in it, I too have been cheated on and it is the worse and most horrible feeling, I had to go on Zoloft, but the good thing is that it helps and once you can come out of the fog of depression you can see more clearly. You deserve better! Get you a plan of action and figure out what you need to do, Evalute every aspect of your life... is it time for a lifestyle change... change of job, if at all possible kick her out because adding a move on top of everything is going to be more stressful, and what a B*tch to laugh at you after what you went through, find a safer jogging route... and did you ever think that maybe that guy punched you because she is banging him? I kinda wondered that when I read, because that is just too strange that a guy would punch you for NO reason, and then she laughed on top of it... Go out with some friends or family, if you don't have any... make some, you need to surround yourself with loving and caring people. Best of luck to you, and I hope that your nose isn't broken a nice guy like you doesn't deserve that. *Another big hug and maybe a  little kiss on the cheek*
139043
I have been the victim of both emotional and physical abuse. This was from my boyfriend at the time. I was choked, hit, threatened, and cheated on. I was called a whore if I wore makeup, I was left alone with a concussion so he could go out with friends (I was supposed to be woken up every two hours), I was lied to, I was called a b*tch so many times that it was like a nickname, I was ignored, my needs were ignored. I was taken advantage of physically, emotionally, and financially. It ended when HE left, because my identity had been so damaged that I no longer had a will to be happy. Since then, I learned that I had PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse. Treatment for that changed my life. Abuse of any kind never gets better. You cannot change anyone. If you are not in physical danger, then insist on counseling, because you are still in danger of losing YOU. If you are in physical danger get out NOW - abuse never gets better, it only escalates. Best of luck.
309744
I am dealing with the same things you are.  This is _not_ something you can fix by yourself.  \n\nGo find a local VA outreach clinic and talk to a counselor.  \n\nI have PTSD myself - and have good days and bad days.  The trick is to learn how to recognize the signs and use techniques to 'turn off' alert status.\n\nOne thing to remember: you were injured.  You are _not_ crazy, you are _not_ a danger to anybody else.  \n\nContact me via email and we can discuss this further.  You are not alone, and there are ther people who understand exactly what you are going through because they have been there themselves.
251256
I get situational ED with my wife.  It sucks, I'll tell ya and I bet you can agree.  I read a thing the other day on web md (because I am scared of ED too) that said that sleep and stress has to do with it.  Maybe your just more comfortable around your lover now, and it keeps your stress levels low, and your other lovers caused you more stress.  I think that if its not a physical problem with you, it is obviously a mental thing, so you would probably fit into this area of stress and sleep.
88374
I've been plauged with insomnia since as far back as I can recall. My mom always had problems getting me up for school in the morning, mainly b/c I didn't get much sleep at night. I've been a night owl ever since. I went through a time where I did speed/meth to stay up all night so I didn't have to worry about fighting to fall asleep. that was the first sign for me, I was always fighting to go to sleep. My mind just didn't seem to want to shut off. so, I had read never to stay in bed when you can't sleep after about 15 minutes....to do something relaxing, like read, or take a bath, or watch tv. but don't stay in bed. your not supposed to associate your bed with anything else but sleep. nothing helped me, even did a sleep study. I only slept 4 hours so they could only come to the conclusion that I had insomnia....gee, ya think!! well, I can only sleep with the help of prescribed meds now. good luck!!
502716
Hey there Orditz!  Hope you are doing well in Australia...  Greetings to you from us in Singapore.\n\nI don't think it's "narcolepsy."  That's a condition where somebody who is awake can't stay awake.  Somebody with narcolepsy will fall asleep at any time, including while driving (a very dangerous problem).\n\nThere are a number of reasons why somebody might have trouble "waking up."  If, for example, you've been working out a lot, your body might be in need of extra rest as a way to repair what you're doing to it (in a good sense).  I know that if I'm doing a lot of extra/different physical training, this will happen.\n\nMy partner Alain suffers from apnea sometimes, and this disrupts his sleep patters once in a while.  This will (naturally) impact his ability to "wake up" at a normal time (albeit we have a cat named Malcolm who has figured out how to wake each of us up...  for me, he'll push off the covers, but for Alain he'll bite his ears!).  \n\nThere's a part of the brain called the renticular activating area that sort of makes us wake up or become alert...  We can control that to some degree, but sometimes not, depending on the level of fatigue.\n\nThat zone between wake and sleep can be really fun...  Not to be too silly here, but this afternoon Alain and I had some "quality time without the cat" (you can figure out what I mean here...), and it happened to be in the afternoon after I got back from my 14k run.  We were dozing a little, and it was cool to be able to sort of direct the "dreams" that I'd have in the short segments of dozing afterwords...  You can direct the little dream partitions that way, and it's really nice...\n\nOf course, Malcolm the Cat came in at 5:00pm and started chewing on Alain's ears since it was dinner time as far as he was concerned!!!\n\nBut normally if we can't seem to "wake up" at our normal time, we're probably either staying up too late or doing something with our bodies (like working out in a different or harder way) that is making us need more rest.\n\nHope this helps, and all the best to you!\nmz
178114
Good lord I'm sorry you are going through this!  The authorities sound lame in your town...for shame on them!!\n\nI would suggest contacting the following in the largest city in your state because I'm sure they have the following organizations there:\n--abused women's service and other such orgs that help women in trouble( even if you haven't been abused yet) they can lead you in a good direction.  ask them about your legal rights and what to do if you are not being taken seriously.\n--teen and young adult groups that do the same\n--church services that can help with this(find a progressive not backwoods church..big city)  \n\n--civil right/liberties lawyers or free legal aid groups and ask them to advocate for you because you are not getting help for this. \n\nCan you talk to the chief of police?  speak honestly with them about how you are afraid for your life and that if something happened and nothing was done then it would not only be tragic but on the backs of the police departments lack of responsibility.  if they do nothing then in a sense they are enabling this creep to harass you.  \n\n--check out some copwatch groups.  groups that keep eyes on cops so they themselves are lawabiding and actually do the job they are supposed and not abuse the law.  again, civil liberty groups would know.  that way you can inform them of the lack of response by the cops so that if anything else happens you have proof and then more leverage. \n\nThere has got to be some source of support group or legal advice for something like this...what state do you live in??  try to answer back and I will look up some info for you?  this is serious and could get ugly if you don't have support.  \nJust watch your back and stay with people as often as you can so you are not vulnerable. If you don't have a roommate, get one!  Lights, dogs, security systems-whatever you need to feel safe in the meantime as you get help.   \n\n*last resort: Worse come to worse if no one takes you seriously after you try everything get some guy friends/brothers and well...have them pay him a visit some stormy night.  Nicely.  Capishe?\n\noh can you find out if he has a record or is on parole?  through the freedom of information act you can find this out.  if he does, he could be in some violation and you could anonymously report him or have him returned to wherever he crawled out from under..\n\nFor now, write back where you live and I can help you do research online.  I'm willing.  \npeace.\n\nHERE IS SOME INFO I FOUND FOR YOU: \nJUST CALL THEM AND TELL THEM YOUR SITUATION AND INSIST ON GETTING HELP.  TELL THEM YOU DON'T WANT TO END UP A STATISTIC.   \nhttp://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/arkdv.shtml\nhttp://www.angelfire.com/me/Marshamellow/call.html\nhttp://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/\n\nTHESE SHOULD HELP FOR NOW.  JUST BE PROACTIVE, GET ON IT AND DON'T WAIT FOR OTHERS TO SAVE YOU.  WOMEN NEED TO LEARN TO SAVE THEMSELVES.  AND THAT'S OK.  REACH OUT BUT ALSO RELY UPON YOURSELF.  YOU COULD GET A CELL PHONE AND JUST SAVE YOUR GRANNIES PHONE FOR OUTGOING CALLS ONLY?? OR GET ANOTHER PRIVATE UNLISTED NUMBER AND AGAIN, LEAVE YOUR GRANNIES FOR OUTGOING ONLY.  HEY GOOD IDEA@!  TRY THAT.  \nMAKE SURE ALL YOUR LIGHTS AND LOCKS WORK WELL AROUND YOUR HOUSE AND LIKE THE OTHER GIRL SAID, GET A STUN GUN AND MAKE SURE YOU GET TRAINING ON IT.  DON'T WANT TO SHOCK YOURSELF! \nGOOD LUCK!!!
154122
well I don't know what to tell you but I feel your pain, if I don't set an alarm I can sleep all day and the only way I wake up is if I have to use the bathroom, hey that gives me an idea, before you go to bed drink a ltr of water!  \nI could ask a doc about this though, probably can help you more then a bunch of morons on the net lol
606498
Hello \n\nYou are in a very tricky position here. The first obstacle concerns the actual rape by someone little older than yourself at the time.  In those days he would have been regarded as a juvenile for court purposes had you contended the case then. Today some 19 years on you obviously still have some grief to share, hence placing your issue here. I will say this I am not sure whether the internet is the place for you to share your grief. The quality of the answers very much a case of posing a question or issue for some kind of rough justice. From which you may draw the wrong kind of support.\n\nThe thing is you need some balance in your life which comes through family friends and loving relationships. However having this grief and anger about your personage will affect any personal one to one relationships you might desire to have,. this is not to mention your work situation and  that of your mums contact with the mother of your abuser.\n\nI think the right source of action for you would be to seek the help of a counsellor.  I know this sounds drastic but just airing your thoughts and anger with someone who is trained to listen and not biased should help tremendously. There should be a self help directory available in your local library or maybe your GP surgery has some counselling services. \n\nYour employment in this situation has been your tormentor and reminder,  maybe after having some couselling you should sit and talk things over with your mum. Gain her support especially if you should decide to eventually have this all out in the open. This is not always a good idea.\n\nI presume that you have had this job for less than two years and would not qualify for any redundancy rights, you are in a position therefore to resign if you want to in accordance to the way - in which you are paid. Ie, weekly paid a weeks notice, fortnightly paid a fortnight and so on.\n\nMeanwhile try not to get emotionally involved in any arguments or debate with the mother of your abuser as after 24 years this could be as big a shock to her as the loss of the friendship has also been put assunder. \n\nGood luck with any counselling you seek.
365009
Demand a second opinion. Positive note I had similar symptoms for years rarely a day off. I had a brain scan, a EEG and other tests turns out I have hemiplegic migraines - very scary. I have an aura with mine - a bad taste often triggered by what I eat or smell. Gloss paint sends me off my legs for up to 2 weeks. I was investigated for having a stroke! Go back an see your Dr if symptoms don't improve and demand further tests! Have allergy/ sensitivity tests done, mine showed my triggers as being corn, melon, larger etc. I changed my diet and took FEVER FEW natural health supps and have made a fantastic recovery, with the occasional relapse. I f your symptoms are new to you and you have had no further investigations than a DR appointment, go back and demand more. Take a friend or relative with you if your reluctant to push the issue. You only have one life - enjoy it. Luv J xx
120338
Already a lot of good and not so good answers... Don't use alcohol, I did that for years. I don't drink now and sleep better. Stress, is the main thing that keeps me awake now, but only occasionally. Don't smoke either. Feeling secure makes you feel secure in your bed. Do everything to make sure your home is secure obviously. Financial security is important - people do lie awake worrying about money. Emotional security, knowing people care and love you. That's more difficult. But generally speaking you get back what you give out in that department. Obviously avoid stimulants like caffeine in the evenings. When you go to bed tonight. Think about me! A mysterious romantic Englishman - and let your imagination run wild! Even if you don't sleep - it'll make staying awake much more enjoyable. But after a while - maybe 8 hours - you'll get bored with me and nod off! Incidentally, it's 3.05pm in the afternoon now in England. Not the early hours of the morning! I haven't had lunch!
638419
The things that have happened to you are terrible and of course it is abuse.  You really need a trusted adult to help you.  The fact that you were able to post on here means that you are ready to get the help you need.  I'm a licensed psychiatric social worker and I came from a really crappy upbringing too.  My dad was physically abusive and my mom was pretty depressed and didn't stop him.  I managed to get past the abuse and lead a productive life but even today, I remember the abuse and have to deal with the feelings surrounding it.  You are too young and your life is too precious to be lost in the cycle of child abuse.  The sooner you get help the more likely you are to move on successfully with your life.  You don't need your parents permission to seek counseling.  School counselors are an option.  I recognize that trusting adults right now is probably difficult and I'm sure you still love your parents to some extent.  What you need to understand is that if your parents are abusing or neglecting you, they are sick too and need help.  Right now you need to realize that you are worth saving and not all adults are bad.  Your life can and WILL get better.  I don't know where you live and what resources are available there but I would be happy to help you in anyway I can.  Please feel free to email me if you need more help or someone to talk to.  My email is jazzy_59602@yahoo.com.  Please stay safe and reach out to someone.
292839
I have problems in life with nightmares(not due to abuse, but bullying and abuse from school years and other things) and the way I'm on the way to controlling them of the following things i hvae had done!  \n\n1. Go to a hypnotist (sounds weird but they can get into the psyche of the mind and unblock things and allsorts)  Good for them to tell you what you want to do and what you will do!  \n2. The dreams or nightmares your girlfriend has, she does remember it's just they can be extremely frightening(example one could be stabbing you to death, hence why she wouldn't want to tell you), in fact let her tell you briefly and write them down as their are people who can intrepret them!   I know people who do this and had mine done and it changed my life in the last year!  \n3. Councelling is something she will have to do it's hard because you feel like a nut case, but if she doesn't she will have these continued problems! R u in england or USA\nin england u get 8 free concelling sessions through the NHS, in USA I'm not too sure! (Sorry)  \n4. Support her it will be differcult but if you love her, then it will be okay and you will get through it!  \n5. Also try to speak to spirtual people and get help that way(not religious, please don't make that mistake no christians,buddists,scientologists, muslims, hindu and the rest of the religions)  The spirtual people won't charge you alot of money if they do they are fake, please beware!  \n\nHope this helps even if you don't choose my answer contact me and i will go into more detail on richardjamesuk@yahoo.com