So ever since September 2009 I've had anxieties about falling asleep. I know that God is protecting me and I pray every night for Jesus to hold me close. But every couple of weeks it gets to the point where I jump at every sound and have horrible thoughts and when I actually DO fall asleep I get paralysis or wake up screaming. Please pray for me or tell me what I can do. I am completely trusting in God so why do I still have all of these anxieties? I just want to be able to lie in my own bed with my husband and to fall asleep without panicking about nightmares and past traumas.

I am praying for you.

Praying for you. Fear of sleep and lack of sleep are such debilitating things.
(((((Hugs)))))
V

P.S. - Where in Ohio?

:hug:

Not sure what exactly is happening here. But have you tried this? Just put the bible on your chest/stomach and have 1 hand on top of the bible. Sometimes, just a simple act like this can help some.



So ever since September 2009 I've had anxieties about falling asleep. I know that God is protecting me and I pray every night for Jesus to hold me close. But every couple of weeks it gets to the point where I jump at every sound and have horrible thoughts and when I actually DO fall asleep I get paralysis or wake up screaming. Please pray for me or tell me what I can do. I am completely trusting in God so why do I still have all of these anxieties? I just want to be able to lie in my own bed with my husband and to fall asleep without panicking about nightmares and past traumas.

I'll certainly pray about this for you, asking the Lord to remove it while you're not looking.

Will be praying for you RG. Nightmares are something I battle with often too. I pray that the Lord will give you peace, and help you to overcome this situation.

So ever since September 2009 I've had anxieties about falling asleep. I know that God is protecting me and I pray every night for Jesus to hold me close. But every couple of weeks it gets to the point where I jump at every sound and have horrible thoughts and when I actually DO fall asleep I get paralysis or wake up screaming. Please pray for me or tell me what I can do. I am completely trusting in God so why do I still have all of these anxieties? I just want to be able to lie in my own bed with my husband and to fall asleep without panicking about nightmares and past traumas.

Though my wife hasn't had any past traumas, her nightmares were pretty problematic for a while. The strategy she eventually landed on will sound counter-intuitive, but it worked pretty effectively for her.

First, as scary and frequent the dreams were she stopped viewing them as horrible things. Instead, she concentrated on understanding the dreams as her self trying to work itself out. While I hesitate to say she involved herself in dream analysis, she did spend a lot of time pondering what each dream could mean. What could they tell her about her current life: what things did she worry about, what did she occupy her mind with day to day, what events was her core self centered on?

Over the course of a few months, her nightmares went from twice a night every night to one every month or so.

Of course, she didn't have any past traumas complicating the matter either. If you're reasonably certain that said trauma is a contributing factor to the nightmares, and the nightmares are preventing you from living your life, it might be time for some counselling. No matter what the church will tell you, this is nothing to be ashamed of.

I will pray for you too.
I can relate. I used to get nightmares all the time & very scary paralysis experiences.

So ever since September 2009 I've had anxieties about falling asleep. I know that God is protecting me and I pray every night for Jesus to hold me close. But every couple of weeks it gets to the point where I jump at every sound and have horrible thoughts and when I actually DO fall asleep I get paralysis or wake up screaming. Please pray for me or tell me what I can do. I am completely trusting in God so why do I still have all of these anxieties? I just want to be able to lie in my own bed with my husband and to fall asleep without panicking about nightmares and past traumas.

I'm so sorry to see you suffering like this sister!

Mark 6:51
Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,

-God is with us through life’s “storms”.

Luke 12:4
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

-The worst that can happen (that men can do) is we lose our flesh or experience pain.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

I, too, will lift you up in prayers. If you know what the basis is for these nightmares and whatnot (e.g. a troubled past, unresolved issues with your faith, etc), then try to approach the problem from that perspective. However, if they came out of nowhere, then make sure something physical is not going on. Most, if not virtually all people are deficient in one or more nutrients causing our plights in cancer, heart disease, psychological illnesses and so forth. However, if I were you I'd take a natural approach/doctor.

I sleep much, much better when:
a) I exercise regularly
b) I take a multivitamin right before bedtime
c) I don't watch any exciting movies or TV shows right before bed
d) I read my Bible before I fall asleep
e) and pray before I go to sleep, of course

How's your stress level been lately? That could have a lot to do with this.

Hi RG. I've been dealing with pretty much the same thing for the last three years. What I've found is pretty much what HisLeast said: if I deal with the things that are causing the nightmares during the day, then the nightmares dissipate and I sleep better. I used to stay awake just to avoid the nightmares, but that's a very unhealthy way to deal with it!

Basically, I've discovered that nightmares are often the way we release what we are bottling up... so the solution seems to be to stop bottling. :) I also found that through the process of dealing with the trauma's, when I did have nightmares, they started changing. (For the good in an odd way.)

The things you mentioned; jumping at every sound (hyper-vigilance), horrible thoughts and on-going nightmares (all related to a trauma you experienced) are a few of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress. I have no idea if that is the case with you or not, but you might want to do a search on it and see how much of the criteria you're experiencing.

A few other things to try:
1- Read your bible right before lights out, then purposefully spend time working through what you read and how it applies to your life, etc. (This will help you focus on the Lord, instead of worrying if you're going to have nightmares.) Philippians 4:6-8
2- Keep pen and paper next to your bed. If you start having obtrusive thoughts, jot them down on paper (sort of like making a list that you'll deal with tomorrow.) This is not a journal... just a few words so you can remember what was bothering you when you were trying to go to sleep.
3- Begin keeping a journal (if you aren't already) and try to write in it daily for awhile. Be brutally honest and graphic about what's on your mind. Journal what you remember of your nightmares too and see if there is a pattern to them -- like powerlessness, etc. that ties to feelings you have about the trauma you experienced.
4- Get ahold of the book of Psalms on CD and turn it on (low) while you drift off. Soft worship music can also be good. (This one doesn't help me as much because I tend to sing along in my head, which keeps me awake. :D )

I'm so sorry that you're suffering with nightmares/lack of sleep/etc., and will be praying for you. Our Lord never slumbers or sleeps and we're never out of His sight... that's always been really comforting to me.

Hi riotgrrrl582, how have you been? Is it getting better. Try reading the bible before you go to sleep and every time you awake from these nightmares, pick up the bible and read again. When your mind is saturated with God's words, its hard for anything else to get in--be it your own anxieties or the devil (whichever is causing it).



So ever since September 2009 I've had anxieties about falling asleep. I know that God is protecting me and I pray every night for Jesus to hold me close. But every couple of weeks it gets to the point where I jump at every sound and have horrible thoughts and when I actually DO fall asleep I get paralysis or wake up screaming. Please pray for me or tell me what I can do. I am completely trusting in God so why do I still have all of these anxieties? I just want to be able to lie in my own bed with my husband and to fall asleep without panicking about nightmares and past traumas.

I've had my days when I watched nightmare movies and had a hard time sleeping cause the mind was constantly working. I guess the only thing I did was pray and ask the Lord to send forth His Guardian Angels to watch over me, and of course I seeked the Lord to strengthen me thru the Holy Spirit and to watch over me, to bless me with a peaceful sleep. Most often we have to surrender to the Lord in prayers and faith. Usually, after a prayer, u realise that ur mind is relaxed. Imagine the angels watching over you, and you can sleep!

I sleep much, much better when:
a) I exercise regularly
b) I take a multivitamin right before bedtime
c) I don't watch any exciting movies or TV shows right before bed
d) I read my Bible before I fall asleep
e) and pray before I go to sleep, of course

How's your stress level been lately? That could have a lot to do with this.

I have trouble sleeping from time to time as well. What Dani suggests comes closest to what works for me.

First is I have started taking a Stress-Complex vitamin. I take it in the morning not at night, but do what works for you.
Second, avoid anything overstimulating just before bed. TV and computer are too stimulating for me most of the time so I try to wind those up before bedtime.
Third, I have started reading at night until I am sleepy. The Bible, a good novel or anything that will set your mind on something other than your worries.
Fourth, I exercise, but not too late in the day. That can overstimulate you.
Fifth, I avoid anything with caffeine or even chocolate after about noontime. As I have gotten older I seem more sensitive to caffeine late in the day.
Sixth, I do use sleeping medicine when my sleep periods are severely disrupted. Sleep begets sleep so one good night sleep eases anxiety and will enable you to sleep the next night. I prefer to take Tylenol PM about 30 minutes before I lay down. You may need a prescription drug to help but don't take it for long.

The suggestions about exploring the causes of your anxiety are also good. I sometimes journal when I feel especially anxious. You may need to talk to a counselor if this persists because insomnia can make you physically ill.

Some time in prayer before bedtime also helps me immensely. I actually pray for a good night's sleep. If I toss and turn I will get back on my knees.

God bless you.

Hmm. That's hard. Do you have favorite bible verses? Maybe after a nightmare, instead of trying to go right back to sleep, you calm yourself down with these, then write down the dream. Have a warm glass of milk, or... I don't know. Create a soothing little ritual you do every time you have a nightmare.

And I like the other suggestions folks have come up with here, too. Try things until something works for you. Oo! One thing that works for me on sleepless nights is lavender incense. I don't know why, but that stuff makes me sleepy. And I admit to occasionally snuggling up to a stuffed animal.

So ever since September 2009 I've had anxieties about falling asleep. I know that God is protecting me and I pray every night for Jesus to hold me close. But every couple of weeks it gets to the point where I jump at every sound and have horrible thoughts and when I actually DO fall asleep I get paralysis or wake up screaming. Please pray for me or tell me what I can do. I am completely trusting in God so why do I still have all of these anxieties? I just want to be able to lie in my own bed with my husband and to fall asleep without panicking about nightmares and past traumas.Hi riotgrrrl

I know this sounds to simple, but it worked for me, and I have recommended it many times to many people, and it seems to work with everyone I know who has went ahead and tried it for at least three nights in a row, right before they close their eyes to try to sleep.

I have had similar issues which have kept me in states of anxiety enough to keep me from sleeping, I found that my lack of sleep in itself lead to other even worst issues in my life than not sleeping.
Well anyway, I found that reading the book of Psalms in our bible filled me with thoughts, good thoughts and even filled me with desires to praise God, that eventually gave me a sense of peace, which initially got me to sleep and fed my mind with better things to keep me asleep and dreaming of better things than my mind desired to think on.

It is not an instant fix, but every night that I did read from it or another placid book in the bible, like any one of the first four gospels in the new testament.
My state of anxiety lessened, more and more.
The more nights I read before I slept the more nights I had peaceful sleeps... Eventually I had some peaceful sleep throughout the entire week, and what a different world it was when I was well rested, giving my mind a chance to rest made it stronger to resist the over whelming negative thoughts it wanted to dwell on.


I will be praying with and for you also sweet sister :hug:

Try drinking green tea, or even black tea, in the evening before going to bed. Tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine. That amino acid, reduces the level of the so called stress hormone 'cortisol', which makes the body stressful. Also, the amino acid L-theanine in tea, slows down the effect of caffeine in tea, so it does not make you jumpy or nervous like drinking coffee for example, but black or green tea, will help you relax. Yeas you red it right. Green or black tea will help you relax and sleep properly, even when drank in the evening.

Also, try to put honey in the tea, and to eat a piece of toast or some complex carbs before going to bed. Carbohydrates cause the level of the hormone serotonin, to be increased in the brain, and that hormone helps you feel relaxed.

When I'm already quite sleepy, I get uncomfortable about the idea of being asleep and unconscious. I simply listen to music or let my mind wander on other things, and before I know it I'm asleep.

Also, I don't know if you're aware of this, but the paralysis - specifically, sleep paralysis - is quite normal. It's needed so that you don't start acting out your dreams. Some people wake up still in this sleep paralysis more commonly than others. I may have once in my recallable life time.

I used to have the same thing happen to me every night, Now i am just fine. What i did is I stopped thinking about demons, Ghosts and spirits. also i stopped looking them up on the internet and watching them on tv. I also deleted all of my music and I have Christian Music Only folder.

Once you remove all your thoughts on it, it will stop tormenting you.

I just want to report that I have been sleeping well for the past few months. I try to be in constant prayer and my relationship with Jesus is much stronger, also I listen to Hillsong to fall asleep :)

Wonderful news, and thank you for the update:)