TW: PTSD, Nightmares, Bipolar

@pinkBalloon6267 I’m really sorry you’re experiencing such intense nightmares and flashbacks—it sounds incredibly challenging. Coping with these kinds of nightmares can be tough, but here are a few strategies that might help:

Practicing grounding exercises when you wake up can help you reconnect with the present moment. Techniques like deep breathing, focusing on your senses, or gently stretching might help calm you.

Make your sleep environment as calming as possible. This could include soft lighting, calming scents, or comforting items that help you feel secure.

Writing down your thoughts and feelings before bed can sometimes help process them and reduce their intensity in your dreams.

Incorporating mindfulness practices or relaxation exercises before bedtime might help ease your mind and improve the quality of your sleep.

If you haven’t already, seeking support from a therapist who specializes in trauma or PTSD can be incredibly valuable. They can offer tailored strategies and support for dealing with nightmares and the associated stress.

So I’m a cop who talks to a therapist about stuff I’ve been through on the road and this actually came up. In this session he told me to pick a time of day, sit down in a metatative state and just let the memories come up. Don’t try to push them back don’t act like nothing happened or you didn’t see anything a normal person doesn’t see. Just let the brain relive it for a good 30-45 minutes. Do this everyday for a week. It honestly helped me out a lot. Hope it helps you too. God bless