Nightmares - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Rayhaneh · 01-14-2008, 06:13 AM

I've been Bipolar II for several years and lately my dreams have gotten steadily worse. I know nightmares are a common thing for people with Bipolar, but I'm having them on a nearly daily basis. For the last two months or so, I've had trouble sleeping. I seem to be fine when I first fall asleep, but I usually wake up 3 or 4 hours later. If I do manage to fall back asleep after that, I have nightmares almost without fail. It wasn't that bad at first, my dreams weren't particularly scary (in some cases, even funny in a dark way), but lately they've degraded. I'm finding myself offended by my own dreams, lol. Does anyone else have nightmares a lot? Is there anything you can do to help deal with it? I'm not on any mood stabilizing medication, though I have been taking Ambien to help me fall asleep (which has stopped being effective for me). I know I'm just stressed out, but I figured I'd ask for advice anyways. Hopefully just talking about it will do some good.

FallenAngel2007 · 01-14-2008, 11:04 AM

I am bipolar 2 rapid cycling and have dealt with the nighmare issues as well along with others, lol. Take a look at what meds you are on, I believe ambien can CAUSE vivid nightmares, so you might need to switch to something else to help you sleep. I was on ambien briefly until one night I saw my husband stuck in the dishwasher and proceeded to try to get it on with him, he said something to me and I told him "We've never done it in the dishwasher before" at which time he freaked out and turned on the bedroom light, lmao. It was all a dream but I was acting it out and he did NOT like that I was doing things in my sleep with my eyes wide open and totally unaware of where i really was and what was going on.

Research each and every medication you take, from different sites as well, don't just rely on one, and see what potential sides effects they have. If you are unhappy at all with the effects talk to your doc and get it changed. They don't know unless you tell them, and YOU need to be in charge of your treatment hun.

Take care,

Angel

seaturtle · 01-14-2008, 08:08 PM

Hi,

Angel's right; abnormal dreams are a side effect of so many psych meds, including Ambien. I've d/c'd meds because I couldn't stand the nightmares.

Good luck in finding something else for sleep, too.

Stephy121983 · 01-18-2008, 08:54 PM

I am also bipolar II and have really awful and werid dreams to. I couldn't tell you what to do about it because I don't even know what to do. I just wanted to show some support and tell you your not alone and to take it easy on the ambien because it seemed to be kicked up when I took it also.