Nobody likes waking up from a terrifying nightmare. How often do you have one?
According to sleepeducation.org, 50-85 percent of adults report having nightmares occasionally. As you age, nightmares tend to become less intense and frequent, which is why children have more nightmares than adults. Women report having more nightmares than men.
If you’re willing to share, please tell us about the scariest nightmare you’ve ever had (that you can remember) in the comments. Those will be interesting to read! And, of course, please vote in the poll below.
Just one since January 2017, it will end January 2021
My nightmares are mostly the same and only when I am really sick. And while they scare me like crazy and even thinking about them brings back those feelings they are not scary.
I typically am walking out of the house to check the mailbox (for some reason everything is in line art) and after opening the mailbox I turn around and line mountains start appearing in front of me and then I zoom out and see that a flat table is turning into a jagged surfaced table and then I wake up sweating and feeling terrified.
So if you are wanting to create a horror film my nightmares probably aren’t the most helpful 🙂
I had nightmares right after my return from Viet Nam, but they soon went away and I don’t remember having but a few since then and that was decades ago.
Rory: Thank you for your service! We apprerciate it! And we welcome you home – albeit belated.
Restless and stupid dreams get me up at all strange hours. But no Nightmares.
I had a recurring one as a young child that involved me being in a boxing ring being chased by a huge boxer. I know we used to visit my maternal grandparents on Saturday nights and “Pop” always watching the Saturday Night Fights brought to you by Gillette Blue Blades. I suppose that got into my brain as I fell asleep watching the TV.
No real nightmares since then just recurring dreams where I’m back at college (which I wouldn’t mind really) and/or I can’t find my vehicle.
I can’t remember the last nightmare I had. As a child, I had a recurring nightmare that I was lying down and being given many shots. Fast forward to today, and I was diagnosed this year with LADA–Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults. I give myself shots before every meal, take a long-acting insulin shot before bed, and a once-a-week shot….
For those of you who mentioned PTSD from your military service, please look into EMDR therapy. It’s Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. I experienced a non-military trauma and was referred to an EMDR therapist. It is nothing short of AMAZING! I still remember the event, but no longer have the emotional response to it as if I was back in that moment. It works for any kind of trauma, not just that experienced in the military. I think it should be made available to all current-serving personnel and Veterans. You deserve much more than suffering from reliving your traumas over and over. Thank you for your service!!
Oops, I meant to include this link. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ If it doesn’t show as a clickable link, just copy/paste it to your browser.
My nightmares stem from my 20 years in the Navy.
PTSD from 1967-68. Still with nightmares and probably for the rest of my life
Thank you for your service, Dave. Take care. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Brian,
Thank you for your service. We lost too many fine young men during that time. Remember to reach out if you need help and you are not alone.
Thanks again!
Due to extreme combat in Vietnam as a Combat Medic (2 Purple Hearts from combat wounds – Bronze Star for Valor, numerous Air Medals for the few hundred air assault insertion battles) and the loss of fellow soldiers, I lost due to severe wounds and trauma- I still suffer from the nightmares about not being able to save them. I have had really good counseling but it still hurts, and cannot stop all such terrible nightmares. Such good and young soldiers and friends, that combat cut their lives short. I do try and think of those soldiers I did save, to try and counter the loss thoughts.
Brian,
Thank you for your service. Too many lives lost during that time. Remember , you are not alone and reach out for help if needed. Thanks again and be safe.!
Thank you for your service, Brian. Take care. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you Brian for your bravery and caring, there aren’t many people on this entire earth who are able to do the job you did. There is a special place in heaven for you and those like you. God Bless you and yours this Christmas Season..
Had a recurring one about a house with an evil entity that dwelled in the basement. It was so evil it would vibrate the house. Had it once or twice a year for about 3 years. Then I moved and never had the dreams again. 😯
no nightmares.
Just dreams that seem straight out of some twisted sci-fi/twin peaks/inception/matrix universe.
It depends on who I have had to deal with during the day.
I retired alittle over five years ago but I still wake up occasionally dreaming about being back in the office…believe me I don’t miss it! For decades, I’ve also had the dream about being back in college, skipping class every day, and then cramming for the final test the next morning…haven’t had that one in a while. Don’t know that I’d call them nightmares…just the one I’ve been in for the last four years…really wish I’d wake up from that one. Couldn’t resist!
I afraid my nightmare will start on January 20 2021.
Mine will end then!!!
Amen
I divorced her almost 34 years ago. Haven’t had one since.
😊😊😊😊😊😊
I don’t usually have nightmares – I have “wake-mares.” I have dreams where I am back in the job I loved more than anything else but gave up because of diversity requirements imposed by a federal judge, making a productive career and advancement impossible. Then I wake up and realize it was a dream and not reality and I am crushed.
I don’t remember ever having a nightmare. If I did, then it was 60 years ago, or so (I’m presently 63 years of age).
every time i have a meal after 7 pm i am up at night with nightmares!! thankfully it is a rare occasion to eat afer 7!
Had them to the point of having a sleep study. Chronic Obstructive Sleep Apnea! One CPAP later, all is well!😁
I am spending more money for an RV than I did for my house years ago…
Same Here.