For the past month, I've been having horrible nightmares almost every night. These nightmares are twisted, bizarre, and terrifying - things I couldn't begin to imagine while awake. If I'm hurt in the dream (and I usually am) I can feel the pain clearly. I usually wake up whimpering or crying silently.
This is really beginning to take a toll on me. I'm becoming irritable, and I'm having trouble concentrating on my schoolwork. Even spending time with my friends feels like a chore, as I feel exhausted all the time.
I should mention that a serious relationship I was in ended a month ago, and these began at that time. I expected them to go away as I got over it, but they're getting steadily worse and worse. What can I do to make them stop, 4-ch? I feel like this is slowly tearing me apart, both physically and mentally. The things I see in these dreams... they're absolutely horrible. I can't get those images out of my mind. I should note that doctors and medication are out of the question. What can I do? Has anyone else gone through this?
Possibly research lucid dreaming? I don't know, but it might have some success. Some of the things they recommend to become 'lucid', such as writing down all your dreams, could help a lot. A log of your dreams often allows you to identify recurring themes, especially more subtle ones which you might otherwise miss.
Then, if you manage to become lucid, you can control your dreams and make these things go away. It might be difficult given the extreme nature of these dreams, but it is worth it, in my opinion.
Just another point: You mention that it might have something to do with the end of this serious relationship. Are you over it?
In any case, I wish you luck in getting rid of these nightmares.
Try writing a log of all of your dreams.
Although i've never been through the same things as you - I absolutely crave bizzare nightmares! The stranger, the more messed up, the more surreal, the more I can't relate it to anything I can think of - the better.
I'm a creative and very imaginative person and my nightmares are often the sources for a lot of my ideas. I enjoy going over my nightmares in my head afterwards, making sense of them or defining (the situations, entities etc within them).
Because of this, most nightmare don't scare me - rather, they leave me feeling curious. Even nightmares, that leave me terrified afterwards (quite rare) and unable to get back to sleep, I find interesting.
I view things that terrify people, that can't be understood or defined with interest... perhaps you can find a way to do the same - eg try drawing, or writing about the things in your dreams, no matter how uncomfortable. Instead of trying to block them out, focus on them as much as possible. I know your situation is very different from my occasional bizzare nightmare but it might help.
The main concern should be the fact that you feel physical pain after them. It's a shame doctors are out of the question, since that may be a solution to that specific problem. Also if they occur every night, that's also a concern. I'd recommend asking a doctor (or anyone with medical knowledge) just to give you advice.
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Haha, I'm quite like you. I love nightmares, especially the ones I get when I'm sick and have a bad fever. Actually, since I'm grown up, the only dream (because it wasn't really what you'd call a nightmare) that left me terrified (I was shaking, actually) when I woke up was one where a girl I liked told me she didn't like me and she had to go away. It's strange and slightly amusing how that got linked to a fear deeper than everything I could or should be afraid of...
Also, OP, I also support the position of logging your dreams. First it's very instructive, fun and probably something everyone should do because it makes you learn a lot about yourself.
Doing this you might be able to find patterns in your nightmares, identify them, and then subconscienciously "shift" them while asleep to alter the nightmare substance. It could really help yourself in not only getting your sleep back under control, but also in kind of "healing" your subconscious mind.
That said, focus on your nightmares, don't block, evade or fear them. You might feel the fear when you're asleep, but while you're awake you must not fear having fearful nightmares because you'd be entering a destructive circle. You'd be better off using them in creative way. Writing, music, sound, photography, whatever - find a way to exteriorize. You need it - (I believe that's part of what dreams are for), so it'll help, but also because it can be really interesting. Seriously, 'twisted' (the word might be hard but you see what I mean) minds often create great art.
Keep us posted, and if you chose to express yourself through writing, don't hesitate to post your creations here as well, we'll tell you what we think of it...
Yes some nightmares are quite badass, you experience things you will never in real life. Two days ago, i got shot in the back by a friend (betrayal) and as i lay there..feeling VERY HOT at first..then REALLY COLD. I was bleeding to death and kept thinking.."this is the end", and what followed was blackness and then i woke up. I've been stabbed by a sword on a battlefield, kidnapped by a serial killer, and other cool things.
But i can understand if you have them every fucking time they will drive you nuts. (there was a period i had them every night where i didn't wanna sleep anymore)
Solution, it will pass..it eventually does.