Sleep+AD's=Vivid Nightmares

[The one lurking behind you]

Is it possible for AD's to induce or aid the vividness of dreams/nightmares?

I've always been one for odd, fairly detailed dreams/nightmares, especially since being Depressed. But since being on Prozac I have noticed my dreams jump off into the deep end of disturbing. I often replay the dream/nightmare in my head just after I wake up, then I forget it for a while and different parts (usually the most disturbing bits) come back to me during the day. For example I dreamed of being chased by someone with a chainsaw in a supermarket and I was climbing along the shelves but they were following the blood trail I was leaving behind and I could hear the chainsaw echo around the supermarket. Last night it was about school, I was sat naked, in class, trying not to draw attention to myself and when I went out into the corridor a receptionist was wheeled passed me on a stretcher, she was dead.

And so this post drags on, in conclusion has anyone noticed that they get specifically vivid nightmares/dreams when on AD's, in particular Prozac or other SSRI's? Or is it just a part of Depression and is not med related?

[The Emperor]

I don't know. I used to get really terrible dreams like that BEFORE I was medicated. Since I've been in treatment, the level of disturbing dreams has certainly gone down by a great margin. That I appreciate because when I sleep, I want to REST, not watch my loved ones being torn to shreds.

I'm sorry you are experiencing this as I know how truly awful it can be.

I've heard of AD's giving people odd dreams before, so I don't think that it's something that NEVER happens. It just hasn't happened to me, thankfully. The meds have taken that away.

[AirMarshall]

Yes, but they don't have to be 'nightmares'. Vivid dreams.

Paxil did increase the vividness of my dreams. Seroquel turned them into Technicolor dreams that included the grain on every board of a barn, etc.... I still marvel at that one. Things eased off with time. While mine weren't really nightmares, I often found that I was emotionally wound-up upon wakening and it could take some time to calm down and let go of the dream.

One thing I offer for consideration: Directed Dreaming. First, try not to freak out about the dreams. Second, our dreams reflect what is going on in our head. Based on my experience it is possible to influence your dreams, and keep them from upsetting you, at least to a degree. Suggestions: reviewing in your mind before falling asleep the good things of life; telling yourself that if a nightmare starts you will say to yourself "Its just a dream, its just a dream, and then you will wake up".

Look around on the web.

Better nights!

[hallowedink]

Yes. Before I was on meds I never remembered my dreams in the morning (except for the very occasional nightmare). Since I've been on meds my dreams have become extremely vivid and confusing (i.e. I dream about things that have really happened/will be happening soon, and these get mixed up with reality), and now I can remember them in bits and pieces.

[Catnapper]

I'm too lazy to look, but I know there's medical literature about dreams and psych drugs. I was on 450 mg of Wellbutrin, and the first week I started titrating up on Lamictal, I began having the kind of nightmares I haven't had since I was a toddler - not so vivid, but waking up wanting to scream, like someone was attacking me. I went to see the pdoc, and he dialed the Wellbutrin back to 300 mg, and I haven't had another nightmare since then.

I've been on Lamictal for about three years, and a couple of months ago the pdoc increased my Wellbutrin back to 450 mg for breakthrough depression symptoms. I haven't had any nightmares, so I guess over time my body has adjusted to the Lamictal.

If I were you I'd call the pdoc. There are lots of meds to try and there's no need to suffer.

[Cade]

It can happen - making any dream more vivid, so if you're prone to nightmares, those will be more intense too. I didn't experience that with Celexa, but my pdoc asked about it and mentioned some people get vivid dreams when they take SSRIs especially if they take them at night. Apparently it's a side effect that sometimes happens, sometimes doesn't, and night dosing makes it somewhat more likely.

The side effects I've had from ADs have been different - some more tolerable than others. Celexa was the fifth one I tried and it was the only one of the five that didn't either give me nasty side effects or give me mild side effects while doing nothing else. Talk to your doctor because you might need a dose adjustment or to try a different med. Or it might be as simple as switching your dosing to the morning, if it's otherwise working for you and you're currently taking it before bed.

[The one lurking behind you]

Thanks for all your knowledge about this. Just underlining the fact that I love CB so much for its members that advise through experiences

Annoyingly I take Prozac as soon as I wake up in the morning so I can't adjust that. I'm hoping that my recent increase to 40mg may help to knock some side effects out though all its done at the moment is killed my appetite and upped my energy a bit...

Naturally I have always had a large majority of nightmares of dreams so as Cade said 'so if you're prone to nightmares, those will be more intense too.'

My pdoc told me that Prozac is basically the only AD for under 18's here. So if I want to try another AD I will have to wait another half a year or so and I think my pdoc is hoping that I'll be better by then, though he always is overly optimistic.