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I still have nightmares about my abusive ex boyfriend


dsw31

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I have been away from him for about 3 1/2 years now, & still have occasional nightmares about him.I don't get as disturbed about the anymore but, wondering if this is something I should be concerned about?

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january2011

I suggest speaking to a mental health professional. I wouldn't say that it's normal or not to have the experiences that you're having three and a half years after being away from him. However, I think that something as serious as what you've been through needs to be addressed by someone who has experience in supporting people through things like this.

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Thanks January,

 

Ithink you're right.I think anyone who's been through anything so traumatic should talk to a professional but, I truley feel like, other than the occasional nightmare,I am fine.I now know all of the red flags & would never ever get involved with another guy like that.

 

 

Here's the real crazy part though...you guys are gonna think I'm nuts...

 

One time I had a really good dream about him.

I dreamed that I stabbed him numerous times & chopped his head off with a sword.It was so realistic & bloody.I could actually hear the blood flowing & felt so relieved that I killed him.I'm sure this was symbolic of me being happy about him not being in my life but-is that crazy or what?

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january2011

The dream may have been a symbolic cutting of the cord between you two.

 

If this is causing you real concern, the nightmares increase in frequency and they impact your quality of life, then I would strongly suggest you at least spend a little bit of time speaking to a professional just to see if they can help you to work through any residual feelings and thoughts you may have.

 

The dreams may indicate that there are remnants of this experience that you have not reconciled yet. It may be that you will never truly stop the nightmares but they will become rare and each time you have one you'll just shake it off, as you're doing now.

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I was looking up symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and, sure enough, nightmares are a common symptom.

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