What would you consider these dreams to be?

Question

I have very vivid dreams and they suck me in so much that when I wake it takes me several hours to come out of it. They are more like night terrors to me and I start to not want to sleep due to them. I have had a few people appear in near every dream and the constant theme is that I'm driving and my brakes only slow the car. So I end up hitting things, but lightly...it just stops short of a crash.

I do believe that these are drug induced since I'm on Xanax and Effexor for panic disorder, but is there any way to lessen these? They shake me up so bad that I'm a bit sick to my stomach and "detatched" for so long after I wake. Oy!!

Answer 1

I think you are going to have to make a decision of whether the benefits outweigh the adverse effects of continuing your medications. A decision only you can make as you know how you feel. Effexor and other antidepressant drugs are well known for causing abnormal dreams. Xanax and other sedative hypnotic drugs can also but moreso during withdrawal. Both drugs are addictive in the sense that they can cause nasty withdrawal symptoms with all sorts of weird mental and physical withdrawal symptoms and in the case of xanax you can actually die from seizures if you stop it suddenly. Xanax is a benzodiazepine. If you want info on benzodiazepines read this http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/ and here is a list of yahoo groups that offer information on effexor withdrawal and side effects discussion http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=effexor
Here is a withdrawal support group for xanax http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk/
I don't know what your question is, as you asked what we think is causing your symptoms but you already said that you think it is drug induced so you know the answer already. I think you need to read up on the side effects, long term effects, withdrawal effects and then make an informed adult decision as to whether the benefits outweight the adverse effects.
Good luck!

Answer 2

Dreams that involve cars usually are symbolic for how we "get around" in life. So if you are crashing into things, it may be a metaphor for how you get around in life.

I agree, it could be those drugs. Do call your doctor who prescribed them and explain this is no way to live. Also, you should be in counseling to work out what the panic disorder is all about. Taking drugs is a bandaid, it does not fix the problem. Counseling will help to resolve the issues that have caused the disorder, you need to do some work on yourself. Journaling is great, write about how you are feeling. Make sure you are eating healthy, getting exercise and are involved in something that makes you feel productive (work, school, etc.).

Answer 3

If you think that they are a side effect of the medication, have you talked to the doctor who prescribed the meds? Effexor can cause vivid dreaming. Since you already suffer from anxiety, it would make sense that your dreams are very anxiety provoking and then increase your anxiety once you wake up. I suggest that you consult your doctor.