Occasionally my boyfriend wakes up in the middle of the night from a nightmare gasping for breath and trying to scream. Understandably it startles me quite a bit, but I am somewhat used to it now so as soon as I wake up I just start saying his name and telling him everythings okay and that I am right here. His nightmares usually involve someone being in the room, so when he wakes up he is convinced someone or something is in the room, so it always freaks me out too. It worries me that when he is older he might give himself a heart attack from one of these nightmares. I think a factor may be that his mother passed away when he was 14 (he is 21 now). He lived only with her and they were best friends. Her death was very traumatic to him, and he had to leave his lifestyle in California, and move to distant relatives on the east coast. Could this be from Post-Traumatic Stress, or some other factor. Is there anything I can do to help him, or should he see a therapist? Thank you very much!
2007-10-15 02:17:42 · 15 answers · asked by merrieishott 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Abused by his father? He never lived with his father.
2007-10-15 02:23:47 · update #1
Also, this has been going on for as long as we've been going out (4 years) and he said it happened before we met, too.
2007-10-15 02:25:12 · update #2
Definitely sounds like PTSD. He needs to see a therapist as soon as possible! It`ll get worse without treatment.
2007-10-15 02:23:18 · answer #1 · answered by MISTY 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He definitely should see a therapist. Losing a parent at that young of an age is very traumatic. He could be suffering from PTSD. Did these nightmares just start? Or have they been on going since his mother's death? Who or what does he think is in the room? All of these can lead to clues (if that's what you want to call it) as to why he is having these nightmares. But he really should see someone.
2007-10-15 02:23:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the other posters about therapy. I'm not sure about the PTSD, although maybe...
The thing is, in addition to any help a counsellor might give him v/v unresolved issues with his mother (if that is in fact the problem), a good counsellor will be able to give your bf guideance to work with his dreams, so that a) he has more control of them, and b) so that they don't bother him as much.
I believe that my serene reaction to most of my dreams (including very traumatic ones) is due to the mind-body work I've been doing for years. Suggest to your bf that he look into meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback, yoga, tai chi, or lucid dreaming!
2007-10-17 16:52:02 · answer #3 · answered by sbt_seabuckthorn_international 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hm Sounds like a form of PTSD to me as well. Do you have a local health Clinic. Have you suggested having some counselling. Perhaps you could go with him if he wants. Trauma effects people in many, different ways. Does he ever tell you more details about what is happening? I would be Seeking some help. That is nice that you give him comforting words. :-)
2007-10-15 02:23:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the best think to do would be to try and stay as close as possible to him during the night and keep on telling him that things are ok when he wakes up. It`s possible that the death of his mother is the cause of it. In any case,keep talking to him when he wakes up.Eventually, he should be fine.
2007-10-15 02:22:58 · answer #5 · answered by loverboydx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has he come to terms with her death? Has he actually sat down and processed it? It might be she is there watching over him and he doesnt know it? He may sense a presence in the room while he is asleep and feels it while he is dreaming causing him to wake up.
2007-10-15 02:22:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like Post-Traumatic Stress, read through this and then try talking to him about it and see if he feels he needs to see a therapist.
http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/pts.html
2007-10-15 02:24:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is probably a combination of his mom dying and something else. Sit him down and talk to him about the dreams and why he thinks he may be having them! I hope you two can resolve this! Good luck! I hope that it all works out!!!
2007-10-15 03:41:04 · answer #8 · answered by §~You can't judge me!~§ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He broke up with you b/c of a dream? rather? i might desire to comprehend if he needed thus far around, yet a dream? That feels like an exceedingly undesirable excuse. i be attentive to individuals whose father died in front of them on christmas day and are not that screwed up. feels like he desires a stable rapid kick interior the ***, no longer crying on a settee...
2016-10-09 06:30:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably you who is causing the nightmares (not your fault, though)- you are in the room and trigger his childhood memories of being abused by his father- that's why his parents split up.
2007-10-15 02:21:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋