Graphic Nightmares

I've learned OCD can show up in our dreams. So these are like intrusive thoughts in horrible video form. I get them too. I get kinds that make me do horrible things I'd never want to. My favorite nights are when I don't dream. But I think it helps to have as comfy a morning routine as you can, something that makes you feel safe to settle into and distance yourself from that dream, to come out of that false reality in a way...but I know when I was in school, that was almost impossible to do- made it the hardest. Also to the "going on with day as if all is normal" brings me a lot of sorrow. I've had therapists tell me to watch my terrible thoughts float by me like a leaf on a river. Absolutely not. These are horrible thoughts, horrible dreams, and you are absolutely right in recognizing what you are feeling is so unkind. I am no medical professional, but as I am aware, OCD is a disability...people get surprised it actually intrudes on our day to day. People often want us to conform into their boxes, but, we can't fit in a box not made for us in mind. Please, especially with your sleep and mornings being harmed, don't be afraid to take some time out of the box (call in to work or school/ask for later hours), though I know that's not always possible, having a routine that suits your needs might help... Sending care 🍁

I get nightmares too. Mornings are very difficult especially when I get dreams about my mom or my brother dying. As I go through the day I sort of feel weird and then ease up as the day goes. I also tell my mom about my dream sometimes.

I get this too! It sucks

Yes, absolutely. And waking up panicking feeling like you have to figure it out and resolve the dream. I also then start to obsess that my husband is going to die and check his breathing. Our bodies release a little extra cortisol when we wake up, and that is not helpful in the OCD habituation loop. My nightmares have decreased with ERP and I am grateful. We have to not do compulsions around the dreams but it's hard for sure.

It used to be FAR worse when I was younger, but yes. The worst, for me, were about a specific friend. I met her when I was 17, her oldest son is my age and went to highschool with me/was a friend of a friend. I got invited to a star wars party at their house. I realized his mom was WAY more fun to talk to than he was and I've been good friends with her ever since. She and her husband are somewhere between best friends and extra parental figures for me. Anyway, she has an autoimmune issue that tends to shorten lifespans. She's also 21 years older than me. Like 6 months into being friends with her it started to sink in that unless something crazy happens to me and I die young, I *will* outlive her. I started having recurring nightmares about sitting at her funeral with her husband and kids. It took a few years to come to terms with that situation and for those nightmares to go away. I still get frequent nightmares involving being chased and unable to escape/hide. The details vary but I've had those since I was very young, as far back as I can remember. They tend to pop up more when I'm especially stressed.