When Stalked by Nightmares….Own your Dreams!

 Many of us who live with PTSD have recurrent nightmares.I found this article on MSN which contains a simple yet helpful guide to bad dreams. Learning the technique of Lucid Dreaming can help an abuse survivor to diminish the impact  of trauma on the mind and restore peace to the seemingly elusive luxury of natural sleep.Learning about bad dreams and their meanings is the first step towards conquering them.

Dreaming is natural, and so is the occasional “wrong turn” into a less-than-welcome nightmare. These stories we tell ourselves at night have an important and useful function. Dreams help us think about and sort out issues from our waking life. Here, the ten most common nightmares’ messages are explained.

1. Being Chased
By a long margin, being chased is the most common nightmare. You might be chased by an animal, a person, or dark forces. Whatever pursues you symbolizes a part of yourself that you are not able to, or do not want to, admit. It’s an area of your life where you may feel helpless. An animal could represent the more uninhibited part of your nature. A strange person or negative energy represents lessons you need to learn or accept. This nightmare is always a wake up call to take more control of your life. Sometimes this means making a difficult choice.

2. Drowning
Drowning or being unable to breathe is closely tied to what energizes your life. If you dream about drowning, ask yourself, “What am I blocking, avoiding, or feeling unable to cope with?” This is especially true concerning feelings you may not want to admit. In a dream, you can learn to breathe underwater!

3. Being Trapped
If you dream of being trapped or unable to move, it is likely you are coping with a situation where you feel you have no choice. In your waking life you are not allowing yourself to accept that life is full of possibilities for constructive change. When you wake, talk with someone you trust about those areas where you feel stuck.

4. Partner Leaving You/Divorce
This sort of nightmare has more than one possible meaning. Vivid dreams about a romantic breakup can be rooted in your own sense of insecurity or dissatisfaction about a relationship. It can also be a way for your unconscious to send a message that what you think is secure may be more unstable than you are willing to admit. Sometimes, there are lessons to be learned about standing on your own, no matter what. Think about what you need to feel secure in your waking life.

5. Being Injured
If you are injured in a dream, pay close attention to the part of the body that has been hurt. The head represents all of you; the hands, how you handle life; legs speak of what supports you. Ask yourself what area of your life you been neglecting or mistreating. It is time to be more alert to prioritize particular needs that may be taking second place in your life.

6. Teeth Falling Out
A great number of people actually dream of having their teeth fall out. Teeth are necessary to speak, eat, present a good appearance, and can be a weapon to protect yourself. Losing teeth sometimes suggests you are having a problem making a choice. You might feel you cannot communicate your real feelings, doubt your ability to take care of yourself, or simply fear speaking in public.

7. Being Naked in Public
Often you may be naked, but no one seems to notice. If you find yourself embarrassed, the dream is pointing out that you may be lacking confidence or un comfortable around other people. The dream reflects a sense that you are vulnerable, weakened in the eyes of others, and possibly foolish. This is a common dream for reserved people with very high standards. You can turn it around by imagining everyone else in their underwear when you are awake! Being naked and unashamed in a dream is very freeing.

8. Missing a Plane, Train, etc.
These dreams come when you are running around trying to get everywhere on time. It can also mean you have missed an important opportunity to move on or change your horizons. These sorts of dreams often appear when you must make an important choice. This is similar to dreams of being unready to take a test. You need to ask yourself if you are as prepared as possible for an upcoming challenge.

9. Contacted By the Dead
Seeing a departed loved one is a very common dream experience. It is likely that some of these visits are actual astral contacts. Usually, these contacts include nonverbal, telepathic communication. These dreams are often comforting and not at all scary or distressing. They suggest that love endures beyond our concept of space or time. If the deceased person is speaking out loud, it is more likely the dream is about part of yourself.

10. Natural Disasters
An earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, tornado, or other end of the world dream often means a way of life that needs to be surrendered. There is something going on that is likely to trigger a dramatic change from what is safe and familiar. This may not be a literal move, but could show emotional upheaval, or the need to accept a whole new way of being in the world.

Recurring nightmares
Most people occasionally experience the same dream over and over. This is usually a signal that your subconscious mind is trying to send you a message. When you understand the message, and do something about it, the dream will change or end. Scary dreams are a way of generating excitement so you will be more honest with yourself. They should not be feared, but rather welcomed as helpful hints toward a better life.

http://astrocenter.astrology.msn.com/msn/ArticleAstrologyHomeV2.aspx?sd=20091117&gt1=21001

Related Articles

• How to Tame Your Nightmares (online.wsj.com)
• Dreams (socyberty.com)
• Interpretations Of Common Dreams And Nightmares (brighthub.com)
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/xamixiita/4593307645/

A Light at the End of the Tunnel – Neurotransmitters and PTSD

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Many aspects of PTSD are evident in invisible but serious physical disruptions due to the traumatic event(s). These disruptions contribute to serious problems such as depression, insomnia, and OCD; but recent advances have made it possible not only to identify these changes but to treat them in safe and effective ways. Ongoing stress, as well as a poor diet, genetics and environmental influences, can disrupt the inherent balance of the two main types of neurotransmitters (NTs). Excitatory neurotransmitters are the gas pedal that moves things along throughout our entire body. Inhibitory neurotransmitters calm us down, and function like brakes when it is normally time for the excitatory NTs to wind down.

Frequently, among people with PTSD, the levels of these NTs are out of balance. This can lead to:

Excitatory Neurotransmitters
High Levels	Low Levels
* restlessness	* fatigue
* insomnia	* irritability
* poor concentration	* clouded thinking
* emotional lability	* poor focus
* racing thoughts
* anxiety, OCD or panic attacks

Inhibiting or Calming Neurotransmitters
High Levels	Low Levels
* insomnia	* headaches
* anxiety	* headaches
* hyperactivity	* carbohydrate cravings
* depression
* headaches
* insomnia
* carbohydrate cravings
* anxiety
* irritability

Notice the overlap of symptoms, as many imbalanced patterns reinforce and compound one another.

It is not surprising that many people with PTSD are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and/or clinical depression. Psychiatric medications are usually prescribed. However many people are looking for effective and safe alternatives.

There are alternatives-exercise, meditation, yoga, and other behavioral “stress busters.” The only problem is getting motivated to do these things, no easy task when you are riddled with anxiety or paralyzed by depression.

One viable alternative is amino acid therapy. Usually, a urine sample is sent to a lab and based on the results an individualized program of amino acids is suggested. NeuroScience is one company providing this service to health care providers:

https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=9&Itemid=51

Most insurance companies pay for these tests but not for supplements. A three-month supply typically costs $150-250. Results begin within a week to three weeks. Most people with PTSD take these supplements for at least 6 months.

Because PTSD is associated with many other physical problems, such as hypothyroid conditions, hypertension, headaches, I encourage these clients to

1. have a thorough physical exam if they haven’t done so recently, and
2. have their cortisol levels checked.

Cortisol (AKA adrenaline) and other chemical messengers are produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. The symptoms of cortisol imbalances, as well as treatment options, will be discussed next month.

In my experience, clients who are struggling with PTSD find the combination of amino acid supplementation, adrenal support for cortisol imbalances, and neurofeedback training, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ-wX7kLBr4 to provide resolution of symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and irritability.

Providing naturally occurring supplements for NT and cortisol imbalances corrects these imbalances at a fundamental level. This creates an opportunity to return to better health. Supplement use is generally time limited unlike their chemical counterparts, which are often taken for years.

The decrease and resolution of PTSD related symptoms such as panic attacks, flashbacks, depression, OCD, cognitive deficiencies, behavioral problems, etc., makes it easier to do the hard work of psychotherapy. Effective therapy helps recovery and healing, and should, whenever possible, help the client change the situation that created the PTSD in the first place. Identifying and treating the physiological effects of PTSD is a fundamental first step in this process.

by Joan-Marie Lartin, PhD, RN

Joan-Marie Lartin, PhD, RN

Joan-Marie Lartin is a psychiatric nurse with a private practice in psychotherapy. She holds a masters and a PhD in nursing and is a graduate of the family systems program at Georgetown, working directly with Murray Bowen for several years.

Joan-Marie has extensive training and experience with the emotional, behavioral, spiritual and physical aspects of PTSD.

She offers her clients neurofeedback training, access to neurotransmitter testing as well as psychotherapy.

Her practice is based in south central Pennsylvania. She is a single mother of two wonderful and challenging teenagers. She delights in her family, her friendships, her kids, her work and her post divorce rediscovery of self.You can reach Joan by email at: jlartin at mac.com

Her original post can be found here:

http://saferelationshipsmagazine.com/a-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-neurotransmitters-and-ptsd

Related Articles

• Stress and the Brain: What Makes Some of Us More Vulnerable Than Others? (brainchemist.wordpress.com)
• PTSD’s Impact on Immune System (fyiliving.com)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder – All Information (umm.edu)