Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Psychological and Health problems caused by bed bugs (besides bites)
Nightmares and Post-traumic Stress from BBs
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Itchy-Scratchy
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Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 452
Posted 6 months ago
Tue May 5 2009 18:48:59
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We've now been a few months "clean" and I should be sleeping soundly ... but oddly, a new problem has arisen over the past three weeks or so. I have been having repeated nightmares and have been screaming "Help me" in my sleep. Sometimes my screaming wakes me up, sometimes it wakes up my daughter, who comes into my room to give me a shake. It's now happening about every second night. While the nightmare details vary, it always involves being attacked. It's clear I'm having some sort of (embarrassing) post-traumatic reaction to it all.
My daughter finds it ironic that, now that she's in a BB-free situation and should finally be catching some zzzz's, instead she's being awoken by my screaming. If it isn't BBs, then it's mother's with night-terrors -- poor kid just can't catch a break.
Anyway, I'm certain it will fade with time, but I'm wondering ... has anybody else been experiencing PSTD symptoms?
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MyWorstFear
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Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 266
Posted 6 months ago
Tue May 5 2009 21:48:48
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Itchy, maybe it's a delayed reaction to all the stress you've been under. It doesn't sound far fetched to me at all since it mirrors what someone who has had bed bugs goes through. Any chance you are taking Ambien(sp) the sleeping pill? That pill is known to bring on vivid nightmares in some people. I hope you have a dream free night tonight!
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Itchy Scratchy
Really sorry to hear that bed bugs are still disturbing your sleep.
I have referred to bed bugs as the "Freddie Kruger" of pests... We kill them & they seem to come back with a vengeance... Now you are dealing with bed bugs invading your dreams.
There are some direct approaches to dealing with nightmares.
Here is a link to a guide that might be useful.
http://www.patriciagarfield.com/publications/childsdreams.pdfA small number of therapists are able to utilize hypnosis or guided imagery based approaches to help resolve repeated nightmares. Try to find someone that specializes in trauma treatment
Otherwise, your dreams will change when your life (feelings, automatic conditioning & experiences) changes.
Our dreams are a reflection of our waking experiences... as your life changes... then your dream content will also change.
Send me a PM, if I can provide any assistance.
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paulaw0919
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 997
Posted 6 months ago
Tue May 5 2009 22:16:55
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I had very high anxiety and was extremely hyper vigilant for a very long time after bed bugs. It took me maybe 6-8 months after our infestation not to sleep with a flashlight anymore. Not that I used it, but it was there, just in case.
I never had nightmares, but rather anxiety attacks and Nomo forwarded this link to me and I found it very useful.
Anyway, between therapy and the info from "S" a very old poster... helped me to understand why I was the way I was at the time. I am just so grateful that I'm at the point that I can actually enjoy my home and family again. I hope that this info helps..and as usual with bed bugs....all gets much better "with time."http://bedbugger.com/forum/topic/paranoia-versus-hypervigilance#post-212
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mangycur
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Joined: Sep '07
Posts: 275
Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 9:12:37
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Doug, thanks for the post about children's dream therapy! It's very interesting and useful.
Itchy, I am sorry you're going through this. Many posters have discussed their bed bug inspired anxiety issues on these forums, so you're in good company. I myself have been through multiple stages of anxiety reactions throughout my bed bug experience and have had to do specific mental exercises to relieve my anxiety.
post traumatic stress is just one flavor of anxiety, and all anxiety is an expression of energy from your nervous system. So the first step helping yourself is to do intentional relaxation. Vegging out in front of the TV is a form of relaxation, but it's not intentional, and it actually continues to stimulate your nervous system because of all the sensory input your eyes, ears and brain are processing. What is therapeutic to the nervous system is calming exercises, hot baths, slow breathing, and visualizing things like nature scenes, or visualizing your brain slowing down, etc. Yoga is great for anxiety.
Good luck!
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buggyinsocal
oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130
Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 12:42:41
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I have also found that regular exercise, esp. a few hours before bed, is a vital tool in managing my anxiety and stress. (After all, stress causes a fight or flight response, prepping our bodies to run or do battle. If I get ramped up for that and then don't have an outlet for that physical energy, I have trouble sleeping. )
I had nightmares about the bugs for months after I was bed bug free. As time went on and I became more convinced that I really was bed bug free, they gradually decreased in frequency.
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Itchy-Scratchy
senior member
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 452
Posted 6 months ago
Sun May 10 2009 16:03:12
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Thanks everyone!
Mangycur, it's interesting that you posted that tv isn't actually good for relaxation. I've been really stressed (BB and job) and unable to relax. But this weekend, I went away to a friend's home out the countryside. I spent 2 days w/o tv. I took long walks, fed chickens, mowed grass, helped with cooking ... and, ok, got drunk Saturday night. And I feel fabulous. I hadn't felt that relaxed since this whole BB problem began. It certainly makes me realize that whatever I was doing to try to relax before wasn't working and that I'll have to try new techniques.
Buggyinsocial, glad to hear your nightmares ceased. I'm fairly sure this is a temporary situation and, like you, they will go away once I am convinced I'm free of BBs.
FYI, didn't scream once during the weekend ... thank goodness!!
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mirroredmist
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 1
Posted 6 months ago
Sat May 16 2009 17:41:11
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Ever since the bedbug issues happened at my apartment, I have been having problems sleeping. I dream about heavier infestations and them crawling on me every night. I also wake up routinely around the hours bedbugs are usually known to feed. I'm going to therapy but I was also wondering if there were any additional support groups around. Maybe bedbug recovery meetings or groups that focus on ways to return to some form of normalcy. I know I was initially drawn to the blogs and forums about bedbugs because of feelings of isolation. I did not want to visit anyone because of a fear of spreading the bugs to family or friends. I'm still obsessed with steaming and using the packtite on everything I own.
I sometimes find it difficult to accept the advice from family and friends who have not dealt with these bugs that say "try to move on and enjoy your life." Each time I try to take steps towards putting my life back together, these nightmares undo any form of progress I make. I already had a bug phobia but this situation has caused me such anxiety that I think it is starting to attack my health on a physical level. I just feel drained and tired all the time. It no longer matters if I manage a full nights sleep or not. I am not known as a person who expresses emotions easily but this situation has really pushed me to a breaking point.
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cantstopscratching
junior member
Joined: Jan '09
Posts: 86
Posted 6 months ago
Sat May 16 2009 17:55:45
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Two months ago, found one nymph. No other signs, bugs, or bites. Had the apartment steamed, sprayed, and dusted. (My upstairs neighbor had them a few of months ago.) Still haven't brought back my washed clothes from my boyfriends' mom's. AND, still living in fear! I'm always inspecting lint, spraying my bed with alcohol, and afraid of taking my clean clothes out. Got rid of my captains bed, that the PCO said I could keep, and, yes, I have also been having nightmares. It's uncomfortable to get into my own bed at night. I definitely feel traumatized. It's mostly the not knowing. "Are they gone or not?!"
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