Dreaming about dreaming and can't wake up

[danilyon]

I have been dealing with this for a few years now, but now at least a few times a week for the last few months... I finally decided to see if I could find any information about it.. My sleep doctor just says I have nightmare disorder. These happen to me most often when I nap, rarely at night, although because of insomnia I take sleep aids. Anyways, the odd thing is that these dreams are not "scary" in the sense that most people would see something scary. I dream that I am asleep, and there is usually an awful feeling of dread and evil and I try to wake up, sometimes I wake up but I'm not really awake, and each awakening is slightly different but by the tine I am truly awake I am questioning my sanity and if I am actually awake. Some of them also involve me not being able to open my eyes.. even when **** things like driving. I often am so afraid that in my dream that I am sleeping trying to wake up I pray to God that he will help me wake up for real. I have pinched myself even. They are so real. Also, in my dreams when I'm trying to wake up I often am trying to scream or grab someone but can't make a sound and it's as though they cannot feel me. I honestly love dreaming.. most of the time, like a few nights ago I had what most would probably consider a "nightmare", of being in a resident evil style apocalypse, and honestly I thought it was great and adventurous, especially when compared to the dreams when I cannot wake up. When those dreams happen I also feel extremely lethargic when I do finally wake up, and when I'm dreaming I am waking up, but scared to fall asleep again, but so sleepy I usually drop right back into it. Does anyone have any thoughts on my situation or has anyone found anything that helps them come out of it or not dream like this at all? Like I said, I love dreaming regular dreams, but these, it just feels like eventually I'm either going to get stuck there or completely break from reality not knowing if I am "really" awake or not. HELP PLEASE!

[evewisewoman]

Hi again,

I just goggled the subject of " nightmare disorder ", by posing the question
" what is a nightmare disorder? ".  A whole bunch of websites popped up.
A good one was an explanation on Wikipedia on nightmare disorder.
It gives a definition of nightmare disorder, possible causes and what you
can do to deal with nightmare disorder. It's some really good helpful
information which you may find helpful.  Knowledge is power I always say.

[evewisewoman]

Hello Danilyon,

I just finished reading your comments. In order to understand your problem
better, I'm going to need to ask you some questions. I am not a medical
doctor. This is not a professional medical opinion. However, I have some
thoughts to share with you. First of all, do you suffer from depression ?
If you are in a depression, do you take any antidepressants . If so, which
one ?  One antidepressant I took a long time ago gave me horrible
nightmares. So bad, that I stopped this medication and switched to another
one.  You say you have been dealing with this a few times a week for the
last few months.  You say you are going to a sleep doctor. How long have
you been going to a sleep doctor?  I'm hoping this sleep doctor is a medically trained professional doctor. Anyway, you say you take sleep
aids.  What is the name of the sleep aids that you take?  Is the drug you
take to sleep lorazapam by any chance ?  I'm guessing because you
take a sleep aid that this might possibly be a prescription drug ? Due to
the fact that you have insomnia, you are majorly sleep deprived.
Until you get this sorted out, I would suggest that someone else drive you
places if possible. My gut feeling is that this feeling or not knowing whether
you're awake or asleep and you're awake but feel like you're dreaming has
to do with the sleep aid you're taking. Some of these sleep aids are
extremely powerful.  The one I mentioned , lorazapam, which I was on
myself for awhile while I was going through a depression. So what sleep
aid are you taking and are you on other meds at all for other conditions?
I hope I don't sound like I'm being nosey. I just want to see if I can help
you. I have trouble sleeping too sometimes. My problem is I'm a light
sleeper and I can fall asleep. It's staying asleep that is the issue.
  I had insomnia for 2 months, so no sleep for 2 months. I went to my
job. Took no time off. I was majorly  sleep deprived, but couldn't sleep
and I didn't want to take time off work. I was also dealing with another
issue which I was very worried about and which contributed to the problem
of not being able to sleep. This was over 10 years ago. I didn't know that insomnia was one of the symptoms of depression. Your sleep doctor says
he believe you have nightmare disorder. I have never heard of this disorder and will do some goggling on this subject.  I wish you well.  Eve

[boomboom781]

hi i have had this problem time to time.maybe if you look up how to lucid dream and try to get in control of your dreams. hopefully if you can control your dreams it won't be as scary.