OCD Action

OC/DC
Member

Hi

I don't normally self-harm, but last night woke up with a painful shock, as I was scraping the skin of my finger with the other hand.

I have never had any history of self-harm - let alone in my sleep.

I am not sure if this was just an accident or something I should be worried about?

I was really over-tired when I went to bed and felt a bit nervy, so maybe it was due to that?

Take care all

O

Mon Mar 14 2011 21:19:48 #
OC/DC
Member

ps - previous to this, the same night, I was woken up at about 3am by the phone ringing.
I had to go and check all the phones, only to find out that no-one had rung!

Slightly worried I've gone round the bend!

O

Mon Mar 14 2011 21:23:18 #
Rainbow1990
Member

It doesn't sound like OCD but I'm not a professional to diagnose it, I'm a sufferer. You said both of these incident's happened while you were asleep and stress can set strange behaviours off and make sleep difficult. Has anything happened to you recently to cause you any stress? Or do you have a history of OCD and have any idea what it could be? You said you felt nervy when you went to bed so maybe the scratching was your emotions coming out while you were alseep. I'm sorry if this isn't much help. Take care

Mon Mar 14 2011 22:45:37 #
Tess
Member

Hi O
I'm no expert either but I think these sort of things happen in the sleep phase when you are sort of semi conscious and things can seem very real. It reminds me of a fairly recent post about lucid dreaming and I am wondering if that was the cause of your thinking a phone had rung. As for self harm in bed I have a big scab on my ankle which happened during my sleep, I suspect an insect had bitten me earlier in the day and it started itching while I was asleep. Perhaps your finger scraping was in response to a dream which you don't remember or an itch on your hand. Whatever it was I don't think it's anything to worry about but it might be worth thinking about ways of helping yourself to wind down before bed because ensuring a good night's sleep is one of the natural tools we have in managing our OCD.

Tue Mar 15 2011 9:33:49 #
OC/DC
Member

Thanks Rainbow - Yes, I do have a history of OCD, but never sleep problems like these. Although, I was over-tired and on edge when I went to bed, so it could have been that.

Thanks Tess - I think that the phone was a dream that just felt very real. But, the scratching on my hand I don't know. But, it was so painful it woke me up!

I am on Citalopram at the moment, which does give me vivid dreams and nightmares, so maybe it's due to that?

Thanks for your help and advice.

O

Tue Mar 15 2011 10:30:51 #
Rainbow1990
Member

No problem. Hopefully the effects of the medication you are on will cease to be a problem Take care.

Tue Mar 15 2011 14:09:18 #
Pinklady
Member

Hi there o
I use to be on citalopram and I had some really horrible dreams when I was on them they were so upsetting they felt so real I actually believed I was doing things in my sleep to loved ones it was awful so you were probably dreaming when u thought the thought the phone was ringing dreams can seem soo real x

Tue Mar 15 2011 22:28:38 #
OC/DC
Member

Thanks Pinklady

Yes, when I checked all the phones - no one had rung.

I've noticed my dreams getting worse since being on medication.

I'm seeing my GP next week. I want to give the Citalopram more time but I'm really struggling with drowsiness.

I hope your situation has improved?

Take care

O

Tue Mar 15 2011 23:01:35 #