Understanding My Disturbing Dreams
At the age of 23, and living in the UK, I find myself navigating life with autism and significant ADHD. I also seem to struggle with a condition referred to as Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). Nightmares are a common occurrence for me. There are instances when I wake in a panic, unable to catch my breath, often gasping as if I’m suffocating. On this particular occasion, I found myself in a harrowing dream where I was shot. Upon waking, I wasn’t merely able to remember the event; I experienced a real sensation of pain as if it were happening to me in reality. For context, I'm currently taking a daily dose of 50mg of sertraline to help manage my symptoms.
Answers (1)
8/2/2025, 11:10:42 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing very distressing nightmares that may be heightened by your neurodiversity and your medication. Let's break down your concerns and explore ways to address them effectively.
Main Points:
- Nightmares and Panic: Experiencing vivid nightmares and physical sensations upon waking can be quite unsettling.
- Impact of ADHD and RSD: These conditions may contribute to heightened emotional responses, including distress from dreams.
- Medication Considerations: Sertraline can affect sleep and dream patterns, and adjustments may be needed.
Explanation:
Nightmares can be influenced by various factors, including stress, anxiety, and certain medications. The sensation of panicking or gasping for breath upon waking is not uncommon, especially if the dream was particularly intense. Since you're managing ADHD and RSD, these can heighten emotional responses and sometimes impact sleep quality.
Next Steps:
-
Track Your Dreams: Keeping a dream journal can help you identify patterns or triggers associated with your nightmares. Note any specific stressors or changes around the time of the nightmares. This can provide useful insights.
-
Sleep Hygiene: Prioritize creating a calming bedtime routine. This can help promote better sleep:
- Set a regular sleep schedule.
- Limit screen time at least an hour before bed.
- Create a peaceful environment (dim lights, comfortable bedding).
- Relaxation techniques (deep breathing or meditation) before sleeping can also be beneficial.
-
Evaluate Your Medication: Since you are taking sertraline, discuss any concerns about your dreams with a healthcare professional. They can evaluate if this medication affects your sleep patterns and if adjustments are necessary.
-
Manage Daytime Anxiety: Incorporating stress-relief activities during the day may help reduce anxiety levels, potentially impacting your night-time experiences positively. Consider physical activity, creative outlets, or mindfulness practices.
-
Reassess Symptoms: If the nightmares persist or worsen, or if you notice other troubling symptoms, further assessment may be needed, especially regarding your overall mental health management.
Remember, it’s important to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. Making small adjustments can lead to significant improvements. Let me know if you need more information on any of these steps!
Related Questions
Inadequate Supply of Metronidazole Gel for Treatment
I am a 37-year-old woman, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 121 pounds. I don’t smoke and take 20mg of Adderall and 100mg of Lamictal daily. Recently, I was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and a yeast infection after undergoing a round of antibiotics for an ear infection eight weeks prior. In my initial attempt to treat these conditions, I mistakenly took the Diflucan pill before using the Metronidazole gel, leading to an incomplete treatment. Additionally, my yeast infection worsened, prompting me to revisit my gynecologist. Upon researching the Metronidazole gel, I discovered that a five-day treatment is typical. However, during a follow-up call, the nurse confirmed that I should be following a seven-day regimen for the gel application. I am also prescribed a single 150mg dose of Fluconazole (Diflucan) that I noted I should take only after completing the Metronidazole treatment. Today and tomorrow, the gynecologist's office is closed, and I’m now left with just one applicator for tonight. I have a question that might seem trivial: Should I go to urgent care to obtain more gel, or are there over-the-counter options I can explore at a pharmacy or elsewhere? Thanks for your assistance!
Removing Tonsil Stones: Using Curved Syringes?
Hello everyone! I'm a 21-year-old from the United States. I occasionally experience tonsil stones—typically a few times each year. They can be a bit bothersome, causing minor discomfort on the sides of my throat along with some mucus drainage. Most of the time, I try to manage them by gently prodding with a cotton swab until I stumbled upon the effectiveness of using a gentle stream of water for relief. Following my wisdom teeth extraction, I was provided with some syringes to help irrigate the extraction sites. I had retained one of them, which I would utilize for my tonsils, but I eventually got rid of it due to concerns about hygiene. Today, I noticed I have a tonsil stone again, so I ordered a set of curved-tip syringes. However, I have some anxiety about their sterility compared to the professional ones from my oral surgeon's office. Could anyone advise on how to properly sanitize the syringe to avoid any risk of developing tonsillitis? Additionally, I would appreciate any general advice regarding tonsil stones. Thanks in advance for your help!
Experiencing Potential Narcolepsy Symptoms Post-COVID — Seeking Advice During Diagnosis Process
Greetings everyone, I'm currently in the midst of obtaining a diagnosis and would greatly value some insights while I await further evaluations. I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has undergone a similar journey, especially regarding the emergence of symptoms after a COVID infection. Here’s a bit about my situation: I am a 38-year-old woman and a full-time mother of three children, my youngest born in May 2025. I work in child welfare and have just returned to the office after maternity leave. I contracted COVID-19 towards the end of 2023, immediately after returning from a previous maternity leave and following surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Prior to this, I had no significant issues related to chronic fatigue or sleep disturbances. Since recovering from COVID, I've experienced several concerning symptoms: - Intense daytime drowsiness, including episodes of “microsleep,” where I’ve found myself dozing off while working, on the toilet, or during other calm activities. - Sudden overwhelming fatigue that renders me unable to remain awake, even with adequate sleep and consistent CPAP usage. - A pervasive sense of physical exhaustion that feels neurological in nature, almost as if my brain is 'short-circuiting.' - Occasional ringing in my ears and vertigo-like sensations when standing or engaging in physical activity. - Frequent gas and gastrointestinal symptoms happening particularly after physical effort or while breastfeeding. Initially, I attributed these changes to long COVID, sleep apnea, and the stresses of motherhood. Now, I’ve been using a CPAP device and have maintained compliance for over 11 consecutive days, yet the fatigue persists. Considering my family's medical history and some suspicious indicators: - My grandfather had a diagnosis of narcolepsy alongside epilepsy, although it’s believed that his cataplexy might have been misidentified as seizures. - A cousin on that side of the family has recently been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). - My grandmother had sleep apnea that went untreated, which may have led to her premature passing. - For years, I’ve experienced what I suspect are cataplexy-like episodes, characterized by brief moments of complete body limpness, often triggered by emotions like anger. Recently, I have noticed that these episodes of microsleep are becoming more frequent, and I now realize that many of my previous episodes of fatigue were likely instances of microsleep. When I eventually allow myself to rest, I frequently experience hypnic jerks, which are sudden full-body startles as I begin to fall asleep. While this has been an issue for years, the frequency has noticeably increased lately. At present, a sleep study (MSLT) is on the horizon, but the scheduling hasn't yet taken place. I've also reached out to my sleep specialist through a portal message to inquire about further assessments, such as HLA typing and orexin levels, in the meantime. Navigating my job while accommodating for these challenges is proving increasingly difficult, especially with the upcoming on-call night shifts. I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have experienced the onset of narcolepsy symptoms exacerbated by COVID. What was your diagnostic experience like, particularly if your symptoms developed later in life? Does my situation suggest narcolepsy to you, or could there be an alternative explanation? Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy post. I'm striving to manage my responsibilities as a mother and employee while dealing with these perplexing challenges.
Concerns Over Blue Mottling and Unresponsive Limbs
A 51-year-old male, who has Type 1 diabetes, has been experiencing tonic-clonic seizures since March. Following his initial seizure, his hemoglobin levels were recorded at 69, prompting the need for three blood transfusions in addition to iron supplementation. Subsequent to this, two more seizures occurred. His follow-up blood tests returned normal results, and further examinations are ongoing, though no signs of bleeding have been observed. It appears that he may be on the path to an epilepsy diagnosis. He started taking levetiracetam at a dosage of 250mg twice per day on June 1st, with an increase to 500mg anticipated soon. The last seizure was documented on May 31st. Today, shortly after ingesting the newly prescribed generic version of his seizure medication, he noticed that the fingers on his right hand became mottled and blue, and he experienced a lack of coordination in his thumb. Additionally, he felt pain in his left leg, which seemed unresponsive. Thankfully, all symptoms resolved within 45 minutes. Could these reactions be associated with the medication or might there be another explanation? Thank you for your insight.
Persistent Ear Infection Issues
As a 42-year-old who doesn't smoke, I've recently experienced a troubling sequence of ear infections. After dealing with a perforated eardrum in my right ear, I successfully concluded my prescribed course of antibiotics on July 28. However, just days later, on August 2, I found myself visiting urgent care due to pain in my left ear. Although the medical staff indicated that there was no perforation this time, the level of discomfort is significantly worse and has escalated much more rapidly than before. To manage the pain, I have been taking 800 mg of ibuprofen every four hours, yet it seems ineffective. My initial treatment involved Amoxicillin at 500 mg taken twice daily, and now I've switched to cefdinir at 300 mg, also administered twice daily. I've also attempted both ice and heat therapy to alleviate the discomfort. Should I give the antibiotics a chance to work overnight, or is it advisable to seek immediate medical attention?