Nightmare continued while awake

[Ladylilt]

Hello. I am hoping very much that someone here knows something about what's happened, or can refer me to something or someone.

I'll preface by stating that I talk in my sleep very often, and very rarely (usually under extremely stressful situations) I have sleepwalked and left evidence.

The following occurred about two weeks ago. I had flown to Nevada to visit my mother and ailing father (I live in New England).

My third or fourth night there I dreamed (while sitting up) that there were lots of little animals, rat or cat-sized, all around me, on the bed, etc. I was only able to see shadows. I tried for what seemed like several minutes to call out to my father with absolutely no sound coming out, sort of a vocal paralysis, but finally did call out. This dream continued with my father entering the room with a flashlight, and catching one of the animals. This "thing" I saw when the flashlight was on its face was horrifying and had a sneer and sharp teeth. The animal was frightening and scared the hell out me. My father took that one out, but after several minutes, he hadn't returned. I called to him again, then again, fearing that he'd either forgotten to come back and get the rest of these things out of the room or that he'd been killed by the animal he'd taken out.

The following actually did happen:

I got out of bed, ran to the living room where my mother was lying on the couch, awake and watching television I was screaming "Where's daddy? Where did he go?" and actually stood up on the other couch.

My mother "woke" me up, and steered me back to the bedroom. I wanted to sleep in the living room but she wouldn't allow it. When back in the bedroom, I asked mother if I could keep a light on. She wasn't very happy about it, but allowed the bathroom light to stay on with my bedroom door about 1/3 open.

WHAT ON EARTH DOES ANYONE MAKE OF THIS? I AM 48 YEARS OLD!

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by Ladylilt

Hello. I am hoping very much that someone here knows something about what's happened, or can refer me to something or someone.

I'll preface by stating that I talk in my sleep very often, and very rarely (usually under extremely stressful situations) I have sleepwalked and left evidence.

The following occurred about two weeks ago. I had flown to Nevada to visit my mother and ailing father (I live in New England).

My third or fourth night there I dreamed (while sitting up) that there were lots of little animals, rat or cat-sized, all around me, on the bed, etc. I was only able to see shadows. I tried for what seemed like several minutes to call out to my father with absolutely no sound coming out, sort of a vocal paralysis, but finally did call out. This dream continued with my father entering the room with a flashlight, and catching one of the animals. This "thing" I saw when the flashlight was on its face was horrifying and had a sneer and sharp teeth. The animal was frightening and scared the hell out me. My father took that one out, but after several minutes, he hadn't returned. I called to him again, then again, fearing that he'd either forgotten to come back and get the rest of these things out of the room or that he'd been killed by the animal he'd taken out.

The following actually did happen:

I got out of bed, ran to the living room where my mother was lying on the couch, awake and watching television I was screaming "Where's daddy? Where did he go?" and actually stood up on the other couch.

My mother "woke" me up, and steered me back to the bedroom. I wanted to sleep in the living room but she wouldn't allow it. When back in the bedroom, I asked mother if I could keep a light on. She wasn't very happy about it, but allowed the bathroom light to stay on with my bedroom door about 1/3 open.

WHAT ON EARTH DOES ANYONE MAKE OF THIS? I AM 48 YEARS OLD!

Hi,
What you describe is a sleep disorder that can be helped by a couple of nights in a sleep clinic. However if you are OK at home in settled circumstances and your dreams are no problem for anyone else you can live with it. Many people talk in their sleep and we all move about change sleeping positions,and have an occasional nightmare.
This dream was probably triggered off by your changed location and strange sleeping place.

I dreamed (while sitting up)

Many sleeping positions trigger off bad dreams. Perhaps you were lying on your back before the sitting position. This causes many bed dreams and many sleep paralysis dreams.
It might help if you read this long thread There are many people experience strange dream.
I think you will be OK when you sleep in your own bed.
Cheers Wolfjk