I'm starting to really have trouble functioning normally again

[TZ]

I got a brief inquiring e-mail from my mother the other day asking me to break my silence. I sent her back one saying I just can't deal with the family right now, that I have health issues and I need my space for awhile. Seems fine right? Well I had multiple nightmares about members of my family (particuarly my troubled sister) calling me to scream at me and NOT leaving me alone (this happened quite a bit when I was a child..my older sister would enrage me and when I would try to lock myself in my bedroom she would pick my lock and come in and continue to harang me usually that would provoke a physical confrontation from me) so it seems keeping my distance isn't helping on some level. Also I am starting to oversleep again..I went to bed at 6:45 last night and although I woke up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night, I went back to sleep until my alarm and cats woke me at about 6:45 this morning. I feel so mentally sluggish, like I only got one or two hours of sleep. Thats bad. I know I need to go back to the doc and go back on meds but I have no paid leave right now, and money is so tight taking any unpaid time off is difficult for me.
I've also isolated myself. With one notable exception I don't feel like talking to even my good friends. And the one person I do talk to is soooo busy and I think doesn't really know what to say to me sometimes although he is very sympathetic when I do talk to him.
At this point all I want to do is curl up in a ball underneath the covers and wish the world away....

[mopinko]

1. you gotta do what you gotta do

your family will just have to get over it. sleep as much as you need. it is a miracle drug. a little melatonin will help you sleep.
i have been taking ambien for a while now, along with melatonin. i do see the stress of the day coming out in the dreams. but i have the distinct impression that it is also the quality of sleep. when i have peaceful dreams, i find myself well rested the next day. what i think of as "scratching and smashing" dreams are followed by a groggy, rotten day.
i'm sure both you and the cats would be upset if they didn't sleep with you, but sometimes pets are hard on sleep.
take care of yourself first! or there is nothing left for anyone.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Remember that sleep and dreams are a major component of learning.

It is during the sleep state, especially REM sleep, that the brain sorts out and works to codify and make sense of everything it has learned and experienced during the day. This is why sleep is so important to students and why well-rested workers perform better than those sleep-deprived.

Now, if these dreams are starting to disrupt your sleep, and you are not getting enough, that can be a sign of trauma. In that case, it is time to talk to your doctor.