False awakening nightmare?

[Fulci]

Edit: I apologize for jumping in and asking for help. I know very little about dreams and really can't provide insight to other members.

Hi - I'm looking for some help and/or guidance about something I've been experiencing for several months.

I did some reading on the internet and realized that some of what I'm experiencing is "false awakening". This has been happening around 2-3 times per week and happens after I've been asleep for at least 3-4 hours. I would be normally dreaming and then "wake up" but still be in my dream but I'd look around and know I was in my bed, my room, etc. I then feel pressure on my back and back of the head (I sleep on my stomach mostly) and have the distinct feeling that someone is trying to smother me. I realize I'm dreaming and am able to scream at myself and force myself to wake up. This same thing with very little variation will happen 4-5 times in one night.

I found this forum this morning because I was forced to do research to figure out what these "nightmares" were, and why and how I could stop them. This is because for the past 2 mornings they've taken a new twist. The first occurrence would wake me up in the morning (hours before I'd need to be awake) but it was different this time - I'd "wake up" still dreaming as above but now I have the sensation of someone pulling off my blankets and violently shaking me. I'd again be able to wake myself up but as soon as I would nod off again, I'd hear loud noises of crashing metal, know I was dreaming and wake myself up. This happened at least 6 times each morning before I'd give up and get out of bed.

These things are scaring me out of my mind and I need them to stop. I'm healthy, work out frequently, eat right and am mentally healthy. My stress levels have not changed over these several months that these nightmares have been happening (and have actually decreased).

None of my minimal research this morning has given me any insight on how to stop these things so I'm hoping to gain some insight here. Any help would be truly appreciated!!

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by Fulci

Edit: I apologize for jumping in and asking for help. I know very little about dreams and really can't provide insight to other members.

Hi - I'm looking for some help and/or guidance about something I've been experiencing for several months.

I did some reading on the internet and realized that some of what I'm experiencing is "false awakening". This has been happening around 2-3 times per week and happens after I've been asleep for at least 3-4 hours. I would be normally dreaming and then "wake up" but still be in my dream but I'd look around and know I was in my bed, my room, etc. I then feel pressure on my back and back of the head (I sleep on my stomach mostly) and have the distinct feeling that someone is trying to smother me. I realize I'm dreaming and am able to scream at myself and force myself to wake up. This same thing with very little variation will happen 4-5 times in one night.

I found this forum this morning because I was forced to do research to figure out what these "nightmares" were, and why and how I could stop them. This is because for the past 2 mornings they've taken a new twist. The first occurrence would wake me up in the morning (hours before I'd need to be awake) but it was different this time - I'd "wake up" still dreaming as above but now I have the sensation of someone pulling off my blankets and violently shaking me. I'd again be able to wake myself up but as soon as I would nod off again, I'd hear loud noises of crashing metal, know I was dreaming and wake myself up. This happened at least 6 times each morning before I'd give up and get out of bed.

These things are scaring me out of my mind and I need them to stop. I'm healthy, work out frequently, eat right and am mentally healthy. My stress levels have not changed over these several months that these nightmares have been happening (and have actually decreased).

None of my minimal research this morning has given me any insight on how to stop these things so I'm hoping to gain some insight here. Any help would be truly appreciated!!

Hi,
You have a small problem! "(I sleep on my stomach mostly)" This is you problem! When you sleep on your stomach, after some time breathing becomes difficult and you may get your hands or fingers trapped under your body and head. You might get pins-and-needles in your arm. After you have been sleeping on your stomach for some time - one, two, or three hours - your subconscious creates dreams to make you move or wake up. The subconscious uses any method that will wake you. In your case it is mosty frustration or anger. The dream makes you struggle, when you moved to a better sleeping position you go back to sleep for a short time and wake up again.
Actually your dream is controlling your level of consciousness. You have to be near waking level before your subconscious can command your brain to do this or that. These "false awakening" are the different stages in your level of consciousness.
Try sleeping on your sides. However sleeping on ones back is nearly as bad as sleeping on ones stomach. It also causes bad dreams.
Nowadays sleep clinics would solve your problems, However your problems are not serious as they are caused by you lying on your stomach.
From now on when you have a bad dream, just get comfortable, turn onto your side and go back to sleep!
Cheers Wolfjk

[Fulci]

Originally Posted by Wolfjk

Hi,
You have a small problem! "(I sleep on my stomach mostly)" This is you problem! When you sleep on your stomach, after some time breathing becomes difficult and you may get your hands or fingers trapped under your body and head. You might get pins-and-needles in your arm. After you have been sleeping on your stomach for some time - one, two, or three hours - your subconscious creates dreams to make you move or wake up. The subconscious uses any method that will wake you. In your case it is mosty frustration or anger. The dream makes you struggle, when you moved to a better sleeping position you go back to sleep for a short time and wake up again.
Actually your dream is controlling your level of consciousness. You have to be near waking level before your subconscious can command your brain to do this or that. These "false awakening" are the different stages in your level of consciousness.
Try sleeping on your sides. However sleeping on ones back is nearly as bad as sleeping on ones stomach. It also causes bad dreams.
Nowadays sleep clinics would solve your problems, However your problems are not serious as they are caused by you lying on your stomach.
From now on when you have a bad dream, just get comfortable, turn onto your side and go back to sleep!
Cheers Wolfjk

Really?! It's funny you mention the pins and needles because for just as long as I've had these nightmare problems, I've also had problems with my hands/arms falling asleep. I will definitely start sleeping on my side. Gosh, I really had no idea. Thanks for the wisdom!!

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by Fulci

Really?! It's funny you mention the pins and needles because for just as long as I've had these nightmare problems, I've also had problems with my hands/arms falling asleep. I will definitely start sleeping on my side. Gosh, I really had no idea. Thanks for the wisdom!!

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
I hope your dreams will get more peaceful.
Cheers Wolfjk

[everlast]

I too have experienced this problem a few years back and it was always when I was under tremendous emotional stress or worried about something very important in my life. I would ask what is going on in your life right now and how are you dealing with it? Seek to resolve whatever is bothering you so that you can consciously and subconsciously get a good night sleep. I do agree on not sleeping on your stomach.

[Fulci]

Originally Posted by Wolfjk

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
I hope your dreams will get more peaceful.
Cheers Wolfjk

I slept without problems last night. For the first time in months I'm not scared to go to sleep tonight! I can't believe all of this anguish was caused just by sleeping on my stomach. Of course, it was quite the adjustment to sleep on my side. Thanks again for your help. You have no idea how good it feels to not be scared to go to sleep (or perhaps you do).

I'm going to stick around on this forum and do some readings. Some good stuff here.