“Nightmares stopped but have returned. What can I do?”
I was diagnosed with PTSD 10 years ago after the death of a family member. Right after that and for months in a row, I had really bad nightmares, to the point where I'd avoid sleeping. After therapy, they went away for years. Now, they're returning. Do I need therapy again? Were all my therapy results "undone"?
15 Answers
If the nightmares are disrupting your sleep and/or your life, it might be time to return to therapy. That doesn't mean all your therapy results have been "undone", though. You've probably heard of trauma anniversaries; I'd say that 10 years since your family member's death is a pretty big trauma anniversary. Obviously, I don't know for sure whether that's what's caused the return of your nightmares, but it could be one explanation. Or maybe you're under a lot of stress lately and that's stirred up old memories. Whatever the reason, it's worth getting some support if you need it.
I appreciate your efforts to get help for your PTSD and issues related to losses. I would encourage you to seek professional help to answer some of your questions and concerns in mind. A wish to "undoing" is not an uncommon worrying defense when you re-experience some of the old traumatic experience.
I would recommend you go back to therapy especially since they helped initially. Because the nightmares have returned (which can happen, typically triggered by some negative event), do consider therapy.
Brandi M. Buchanan
Psychologist
First, I am very sorry that you experienced such a traumatic loss. I am also sorry these nightmares have returned. I would not say all the work you did in therapy is undone. It is common for persons with PTSD to return to therapy to address symptoms that resurface for whatever reason. This is why I always say that PTSD is never cured. The symptoms can and do go into remission, but they can be brought back to the surface (in the same or lesser severity) with any life experience that triggers the symptoms to reoccur.
I hope this helps and you find a therapist soon.
Brandi Buchanan, PhD
I hope this helps and you find a therapist soon.
Brandi Buchanan, PhD
Dear Sir/Madam;
Hope this finds you in the best of health and spirit.
Sorry to hear that the nightmares have returned. Think about what was the trigger that brought them back. How did you deal with similar triggers in the past that helped in stopping the nightmares..
I would not think that all your therapy was undone. Sometimes, we need a booster shot, so it may be beneficial to see your therapist again because you deserve a good night's rest without the nightmares disturbing your sleep.
So take care.
Dr. Sonpal
Hope this finds you in the best of health and spirit.
Sorry to hear that the nightmares have returned. Think about what was the trigger that brought them back. How did you deal with similar triggers in the past that helped in stopping the nightmares..
I would not think that all your therapy was undone. Sometimes, we need a booster shot, so it may be beneficial to see your therapist again because you deserve a good night's rest without the nightmares disturbing your sleep.
So take care.
Dr. Sonpal
Hello - not to be discouraged! If something worked so well before, do it again! Probably some understandable reason the nightmares were re-triggered. Can you consult the same therapist? If not, you will at least know that some therapist will be right for you.
Peace,
Marian
Peace,
Marian
It depends upon a few things. First, how secure was your attachment in the first years of your life? Did your primary care giver leave you to go to work? Research shows that we are most vulnerable to trauma as adults when we have insecure attachments (which are the worst of all trauma, and it happens so young). So, did someone else close to you die? Did someone close to you leave you?
Second, it depends on what type of therapy you did. If you revisited the trauma and worked it through then it would not come back.
Third, what has happened recently that may have reawakened your traumatic memory (to the degree it remained untreated)?
Second, it depends on what type of therapy you did. If you revisited the trauma and worked it through then it would not come back.
Third, what has happened recently that may have reawakened your traumatic memory (to the degree it remained untreated)?
Anna Selena Cho
Psychologist
In response, nightmares can be triggered by new stressors that your brain and unconscious mind is communicating to you. Therapy l, as it may have aided your functioning in terms of your ptsd, you may benefit from ongoing therapy for new stressors that may be impacted by your past history on a deeper level. I recommend therapy when new symptoms occur and look at it as a lifelong process and progression. Tune-ups are recommended and you can call me for a consultation at 310-880-3825. Thank you for your inquiry!
Anna Selena Cho, Psy. D.
Anna Selena Cho, Psy. D.
Lauren Ashley Shapiro
Psychologist
A refresher session or booster session might be all you need. However, I'd consider why they have suddenly reoccurred (and re-apply techniques and strategies you previously learned) rather than conclude that your therapeutic progress has come undone. If you've forgotten what to do or no technique or strategy seems to work, I would recommend you consider getting professional help once again.
Yes, you need therapy again, and yes, sometimes it can get undone and we need help again. An easy concept and can do dissolved once again. Sometimes there are things in our lives that re open pandoras box, sort of speaking. We have a subconscious mind which can be described as another mind that we have. Things sometimes happens that we are not aware in our conscious mind. Just go back to therapy and they should be able to help you.
This is a difficult question to answer online without you being evaluated by a professional. If you are unable to stop having the nightmares yourself, it would be best to make an appointment to be evaluated by a psychologist. Positive results you gained from going to therapy cannot be "undone." However, there may be some ways in which you can learn to grow psychologically to correct your issues.
If you are experiencing nightmares that are disturbing your quality of sleep and impacting your social or occupational functioning, I would certainly recommend seeking at least an updated evaluation by a qualified counselor. If the death of your family member was traumatic, that would account for the PTSD diagnosis and related nightmares. Just because the nightmares have returned doesn't necessarily mean that past counseling wasn't helpful. It sounds like it was helpful at the time it was done. Any number of things could be triggering the current nightmares (even stress) so it's worth getting re-evaluated so you can get back to enjoying your sleep again!
Do I need therapy again? Seems like some symptoms have returned, and I would recommend this.
Were all my therapy results "undone"? Not necessarily, but life circumstances and situations change and challenge us on new levels.
Were all my therapy results "undone"? Not necessarily, but life circumstances and situations change and challenge us on new levels.
Most probably, will not need extensive therapy. I would suggest a tune-up with prior therapist, if available. With knowledge of your condition, could provide insight as to stressors triggering current discomfort before situation escalates out of control.
Yes, it sounds as a great idea to re-engage in therapy. Years have passed, sometimes anniversary reactions are a trigger, sometimes other stressful life events. I highly encourage you to reengage in psychotherapy at this time.
Good luck,
Dr. Hirshfeld
Good luck,
Dr. Hirshfeld
