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Anxiety Regarding Distinguishing Nightmares From Reality

I had a nightmare that I was caught. My mom noticed cuts on my arms. At first, she had only noticed one, which she thought was a rash I scratched at first and then she said, "Wait a second..you did this to yourself," and she pulled my sleeve back. Everything about that dream seemed accurate. My room looked the same, my stuffed animals piled on the floor, my nightstand was messy with the same few books and trinkets..I woke up that morning, thinking I was caught, my mom had punished me the same way as before, taking away my internet privileges. I told a couple of my friends that I was fairly sure I couldn't text them for awhile. The longer the day went by, though, I thought less and less that it was real.  It makes me nervous, though. What if sooner or later I can't discern nightmares or dreams from reality? Am I mad?
Best Answer
Avatar universal
I know you're nervous but I do think therapy would be a good idea. Your mom may make a big deal out of it at first but she'll get used to the idea. Her main concern should be your health, mentally and physically.
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Avatar universal
No, I don't think you're mad. Nightmares can seem so very real sometimes.
Can I ask if you do indeed cut? Are you feeling very anxious and stressed? I think you must be if you're having these nightmares.
Can you talk to your mom about seeing a Dr? I take it you're in school. Maybe if you feel like you can't talk to your mom about all of this you can talk to your school counselor.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, I do cut, though I'm trying to quit, been clean for a week or so. I'm pretty stressed in general..I can't really talk to my mom, she'll overreact and yell..and I'm in highschool. I can't talk to a school counselor, because they'll call my parents. My friend's friends had all talked to counselors, and even small things they call parents. I don't know what to do :/ and thanks for helping :]
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Avatar universal
Even if you mom over reacts it's best to talk to her. Tell her that you would like to get in to therapy. She will not have to go in to the sessions with you.
Can you say why you're feeling so stressed?
I do know about cutting and I know it's a way to release stress and anxiety. You can talk on this forum and we will be here for you. No judging, no trying to talk you in to anything like seeing your school counselor. I do hope you feel that you can go to your mom. If not your mom then another adult. Do you have an aunt, a grandmother, any adult you feel comfortable with?
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Avatar universal
Why I'm stressing..one of my exes..molested me, and he said it was an accident then did it again two other times and I wanted to believe the best in him, but I guess I really knew inside that he was lying, and I really didn't want to believe that he would do that, and he had told me the truth about a month and a half ago, or at least he said one time he did on purpose, although I'm not so sure. I'm not really very close to anyone in my family, I talk to who I call my little brother a lot though, but we're not actually related
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Avatar universal
Oh no! I'm so sorry this happened. Have you thought about reporting your ex? You can not molest a person by accident. He knew what he was doing and took advantage of you. That is not right.
No wonder you're under so much stress. I knew it had to be something , a reason.
Does your friend who you call your little brother know about any of this? If not, maybe you can talk to him about it.
Honestly, you really should see a therapist because you are stressed, you were molested, you're cutting to relieve the stress and you sound depressed and anxious.
You don't have to tell your mom what happened. I wish you would because the guy needs to be punished. But, I did say no one here would try to talk you in to anything you did'nt want to do. Can you at least just tell your mom that you feel the need to get in to therapy? No details about anything if you don't feel comfortable telling her why.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I haven't really considered reporting him, I wanted to give him a clean slate so he can just start over and hopefully be better in his new relationship. He does know, and he says that I'd benefit from therapy as well. I'm nervous about telling my mom I need therapy, though, because I know she'll make a big deal out of it.
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Avatar universal
I think you're right, I'm just scared to ask her..
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Avatar universal
Are you still having the nightmares?
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Avatar universal
Yes, but different kind of nightmares, they're stressful, but the one recently anyways I could distinguish easily
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Sweetie, don't be scared to talk to your Mom.  Don't be afraid of her reaction.  You have to understand that for us parents, we react about the things that scare us the most.  You telling your Mom that you cut will scare her.  It's OKAY if she has a bad reaction, just be honest with her (sparing her actual gory details) and tell her that you've really been trying to cope, but feel seeing a professional will help you a lot.  I'm sure your Mom will move heaven and Earth to get you that help, right?  Any reaction she has will be short lived.

You'll feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted after you tell your Mom.  There's one thing for sure, regardless if the topic is addiction, mental illness, cutting, etc...our secrets keep us sick.  Your secret about cutting is causing you a LOT of stress, as evidenced by your dreams.  Not only are you carrying around the burden of feeling guilty about the cutting, and trying to stop, but also you have to hide it and be dishonest.  That's weighing on you hon.

Best to you, please keep in touch with us, and let us know how you're doing!  I'm thinking of you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
One of my friends reported me today..I've been clean 12 days until I tried to cut myself with a plastic cup, and my mom was notified, so I think I'm getting some help, but honestly I'm nervous, though..and thank you :]
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Well, sometimes help comes in ways we don't expect.  It's actually a good thing that you're friend reported it to help you.  Now you can get the help you need since you were having a hard time reaching out.  Just remain open minded and try to get all you can from the professional help.

Keep us updated!  We're all here for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah :) I'm hoping it'll help, it's just kinda scary. I don't know if what I say my psychiatrist will tell my mom..
Helpful - 0
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