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Old 05-29-2012, 08:22 PM
 
Location: Colorado Springs
25 posts, read 80,058 times
Reputation: 24

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When I was 12, something awful happened to me, no need for details. In the 7 years since this incident, I haven't slept at night at all. I can sleep during the day, though. The idea of being asleep at night absolutely terrifies, just the thought that something bad could happen and no one would be awake to help me. It gives me a weird sense of comfort in knowing that someone in my house is awake while I'm sleeping. I've tried any sort of sleep aid a doctor can give, but none of them have any effect on me. Is there anything you can think of that could possibly help me other than sleep aids?
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Old 05-29-2012, 08:29 PM
 
Location: Midwest
2,135 posts, read 2,276,468 times
Reputation: 4966
mcd637 - You don't feel safe sleeping at night. I recommend therapy to address and resolve your fear.
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Old 05-29-2012, 08:33 PM
 
Location: Colorado Springs
25 posts, read 80,058 times
Reputation: 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by winterbird View Post
mcd637 - You don't feel safe sleeping at night. I recommend therapy to address and resolve your fear.
I'm in therapy now, but it doesn't seem to be helping at all.
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Old 05-29-2012, 08:35 PM
 
Location: earth?
7,284 posts, read 12,881,258 times
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EFT - you can customize it for your specific problem. You can check it out on YouTube.

I also personally like Rescue Remedy for sleep, but I think it has a little alcohol in it (some people can't have any alcohol) . . .
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Old 05-29-2012, 08:46 PM
 
16,235 posts, read 25,092,569 times
Reputation: 27047
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcd637 View Post
When I was 12, something awful happened to me, no need for details. In the 7 years since this incident, I haven't slept at night at all. I can sleep during the day, though. The idea of being asleep at night absolutely terrifies, just the thought that something bad could happen and no one would be awake to help me. It gives me a weird sense of comfort in knowing that someone in my house is awake while I'm sleeping. I've tried any sort of sleep aid a doctor can give, but none of them have any effect on me. Is there anything you can think of that could possibly help me other than sleep aids?
Going to a counselor might help. They say tell your story a 100 times. Until you get this out of your system, you may always be affected by it. A good counselor could also help you w/ coping skills. I am sorry that you had a bad experience. You may also want to explore groups, anything to do w/ your situation might help, sometimes just knowing someone else has gone through the same or similar experience can help us heal. Good luck to you.
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Old 05-29-2012, 09:05 PM
 
Location: Colorado Springs
25 posts, read 80,058 times
Reputation: 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by JanND View Post
Going to a counselor might help. They say tell your story a 100 times. Until you get this out of your system, you may always be affected by it. A good counselor could also help you w/ coping skills. I am sorry that you had a bad experience. You may also want to explore groups, anything to do w/ your situation might help, sometimes just knowing someone else has gone through the same or similar experience can help us heal. Good luck to you.
I've only told 2 people (my therapist and a close online friend) about it. The more I talk about it, the worse my problem seems to get.
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Old 05-29-2012, 09:21 PM
 
Location: Free From The Oppressive State
30,158 posts, read 23,540,121 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcd637 View Post
I've only told 2 people (my therapist and a close online friend) about it. The more I talk about it, the worse my problem seems to get.
From my personal experience with something very bad happening to me, I can tell you that talking DOES make a difference. I can also tell you, it gets worse before it gets better. Just keep talking! Seriously, it will help!
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Old 05-29-2012, 09:24 PM
 
Location: earth?
7,284 posts, read 12,881,258 times
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Just so you know, there is also a theory that talk therapy can make it worse by making a well-entrenched groove in your brain where your "story" resides.

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Old 05-31-2012, 12:40 AM
 
Location: Cushing OK
14,539 posts, read 21,172,856 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcd637 View Post
I've only told 2 people (my therapist and a close online friend) about it. The more I talk about it, the worse my problem seems to get.
Actually if you have it bottled up, this might happen. When you open up the bottle, it comes spilling out and is harder to deal with. What helps for some is writing it out. Just let it flow. If you need to vent then say all that comes to you. You'll never help yourself if you can't define all the little parts of the problem. Some keep the writing, but you can rip it up or burn it, symbolically letting it go. You can make a list of issues which come from the problem, and break them down smaller and smaller until they become managable ideas to deal with.

When you keep it big and threatening like a giant storm, all you can do is deal with the results. As you do it well may seem worse. There was one trigger before, the issue itself, and now there are splintered pieces. But you'll learn to deal with it piece by piece, and it isn't easy, but its how you reclaim yourself. Baby steps.

Ask your terapist about ways to diffuse the bad moments and learn from them, be it a journal or a phone call or some other means. What works for one may not for another. But there is no magic pill or words to take away pain without seeing who's behind the curtain.
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Old 05-31-2012, 09:11 PM
 
18,837 posts, read 37,221,229 times
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You don't need to talk about what happened. You do need to recognize how it has affected you and impacted your life, and move forward from where you are.

"Pain is inevitable, misery is optional.".
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