No Longer Afraid of Nightmares

**Blandge** · 04-20-2012 01:51 AM

All of my life when I had nightmares they would haunt me for days, and I would be afraid of going to sleep for several nights. Recently I became interested in lucid dreaming (and dreaming in general). Since then I've done failr extensive research on the science behind sleep, dreams etc.

It took me about a month to realize that I no longer get afraid of nightmares. Last night I had a nightmare that would have mortified me as a child and I didn't bat an eye at it after I woke up. I just want back to sleep.

I just thought I'd share this with you all and I'd like to hear what you all have to say about this issue. Do you think my sudden interest and research of dreams has cured my fear or is this something that just happens with age and maturity? I'm only 22 now so I'd say that maturity is still a work in progress for me haha.

**Derealised** · 04-20-2012 05:56 AM

I've always had nightmares, it's just something you get used to. Although they still scare me at the time..unless I realise it's a dream, then I usually laugh.

**tyrohmusc** · 04-20-2012 06:31 AM

i have dreams that mortify me. i don't sleep until my body crashes, and sometimes thats 6 days. i start halucinating and the dreams become more life like then ever before. but yeah, I've become interested in lucid dreaming... maybe if i can control my dreams better, it won't happen, so maybe i can actually sleep. and thats what brought me here.

**Pegasis** · 04-20-2012 04:01 PM

I have nightmares and I slept with the light on. I once had a nightmare about fighting Darth Vader and when I awoke the light stayed on.

**littlezoe** · 04-21-2012 06:16 PM

I ended recurring nightmares as child while being lucid, even while i didn't know what lucid dreaming was. All i knew is that the nightmares fear me when i'm in control

It works charms, just tell them in an LD to leave you alone.

**Shaelyn** · 04-21-2012 07:49 PM

I think that it is most likely because you realize what a dream is now. You realize it is something you can control. Maybe it was the lack of control over the nightmare that scared you and not the nightmare itself?

I have had reoccuring, devastating, and habitual nightmares for years. Some scare me more than others. Some even send me into panic attacks that can last for days (specifically the ones that include the world ending or car wrecks). At first that is why I became so infatuated with lucid dreaming, I craved the control over something that had long plagued me, but then I soon realized what a tight community dreamviews was and I became attached to all the members and personalities. I have since faded into the background and lucid dreaming is no longer a part of my life but being plagued now by not only nightmares but sleeptalking/walking I am reaching out once again in hope that I am able to find the same control that it seems you yourself has been so fortunate to obtain.

**Carrot** · 04-21-2012 08:41 PM

I think you overcome your nightmares because you started learning about dreams and probably how they work too.

**samuraixkyle** · 04-21-2012 11:34 PM

I too had what some would call a nightmare, and it was recurring. I always died at the end, and I started being lucid in the dream everytime I would have it. It's been a months since I last had the dream though, even though I used to have at least once a week as a child. I don't even remember being scared of them but once I think. Now it seems that with any nightmare I have I wake up, say "I had a nightmare." to myself in the dark, and then go back to sleep. o.o

**SpaceCowboyDave** · 04-22-2012 01:48 AM

I've never had nightmares

**Mancon** · 04-23-2012 05:26 AM

That's great! I used to have this recurring dream character for the longest time when I was a little kid and HATED going to sleep. I was terrified of nightmares. Luckily, around 9 or 10 years old, I stopped being afraid of them and now I really like my dreams. I'm so glad you got over your nightmares, I know how they feel.

**Pegasis** · 04-27-2012 05:56 PM

Do not be afraid to sleep, sleeping is great.

Originally Posted by Mancon

That's great! I used to have this recurring dream character for the longest time when I was a little kid and HATED going to sleep. I was terrified of nightmares. Luckily, around 9 or 10 years old, I stopped being afraid of them and now I really like my dreams. I'm so glad you got over your nightmares, I know how they feel.