Nightmares/Vivid Daydreaming and becoming worse about panic

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For the past few months, I've been having horrible nightmares. I've also always been really good at disappearing into "daydreams" and becoming emotionally affected by whatever horrible or good thing I'm daydreaming about. Just to give one example, the whole way home from work I was reminding myself to stop at the bank, but then I started imaging what it would be like to find a baby raccoon and take him home and take care of him and raise him, and I found myself at home without ever having gone to the bank. That's not a big deal. But...

Between day dreams and night mares, I have actually become more panicky and have regressed in terms of being able to handle things by myself. This morning I woke up from a horrible series of nightmares, and I literally could not get out of bed. I was hiding! I was a 32 year old woman hiding in my bed. I didn't get out of bed until 4 in the afternoon. I was basically frozen at the thought of getting out of bed.

Also, a few nights ago, I completely freaked myself out imagining what would happen if I was on the tv show Clean House and they tried to move my stuff around, get rid of stuff, and change my things. I got so panicked and freaked out at the thought, I hid again. There was no threat at all! I mean, to get on that show, you have to agree to it, it's not like they sneak in and take your stuff.

It's like I'm going backwards based on my subconscious.

Does anyone have any methods they use to get rid of chronic nightmares, or any ideas on how to stop this cycle I'm going through?

Anything is appreciated.

Thanks.

I don't know of any cures, but being in the same situation I can offer a shedload of advice. I have frequent nightmares and I find myself curled up under the covers every morning, it's really quite..... horrible.

The only general advice I can give is just to carry on and try not to think about it... and never, never be afraid of going to sleep. I know it's difficult (and the first bit sounds unhelpful) but it's the best way to break the cycle.

All other advice would depend on curcumstances... Contact me if you want to properly talk about it.

Dan

Try keeping a journal of your dreams and nightmares and attempt to figure out what characters and themes keep cropping up and try to relate them to what is going on in your life now. Maybe if you see that they are only symbolic representations of reality they won't seem so frightening. Then you can work on the real issues that your dreams and nightmares are calling your attention to. Maybe if you listen to music in the car you won't drift so much into day dreamng while you're driving. You could also try using sticky notes to help you remember your errands. Put them on the dash.

deleted by cc due to double post.
Oops. Sorry

I really like the idea of keeping a dream/nightmare journal. I think that would really help, because I know that the general "feeling" is usually the same three things, just in different manifestations. It would really help to see them written out. I think I'll try that, thank you!

Belgium, I'll be PMing you soon, thank you!