Can nightmares lasting years cause mental illnesses

I've read a bit about this bit didn't get that many answers, so I'll try to keep it short...
About 8 years ago I started having nightmares that cause me to sleep walk. I had to tie myself to the bed in fear of hurting myself or someone else in my family. It got to the point where I couldnt always tell if I was awake or asleep when things were happening from not getting enough sleep, then they changed. They turned into lucid nightmares where I was aware of what was happening to me but I couldn't do anything. I started having panic attacks and scream in my pillow asking God everything night to take me if this was all I was going to have. (It was pretty bad for a bit there)
They arent as bad now but every time I try to write them out I break out into sweat and feel like throwing up. I was diagnosed with extreme depression and severe anxiety. I work and I still have friends. I look like I'm okay by the way I behave so no one really gets it. Let me know what you think.
Thanks

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SW-User

Sorry about that. I’d suggest seeing some professionals who could help, but most of the time they suggest things that doesn’t work on everyone. Mind is very complex and we just don’t know how it works. I’d suggest trying out some meditation before sleep and see if it works.

FrustratedAndUnderPaid

Ive tried a couple things, including meditation but my mind is too busy to be able to do that properly

Peaceful · F

When did they start? What childhood traumas did you experience? These are questions I would ask someone I was working with privately.

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FrustratedAndUnderPaid

Nothing that I can remember. Unless my nightmares are forshadowing the trigger and I just cant remember

Peaceful · F

@FrustratedAndUnderPaid that's quite possible. So there nightmares have gone on way longer than just 8 years ago. What happened 8 years ago?

FrustratedAndUnderPaid

Nothing as far as I know. I was 12. I don't remember the nightmares when it started but I remember sleepwalking, crying and trying to hold it together at school and around my family. The only ones I remember were when I finally gained some control over my dreams, but even then not much

passingby8 · 31-35, F

I would just ask the doc or therapist about this they probably know more than some one on here,hope things keep improving.

FrustratedAndUnderPaid

@passingby8 thank you. I tried but there wasnt much they could say. They told me that there isnt much since it is just in my head and I didnt like the meds I was trying.

passingby8 · 31-35, F

@FrustratedAndUnderPaid Are you happy with your therapist in general?if not you should look for one that's better.Im not a doc or anything but I think I read somewhere where nightmares have to do with anxiety your already feeling in your daily life,maybe you have passed trauma you haven't dealt with and it's causing the nightmares too?

FrustratedAndUnderPaid

I've seen three different counselors and a psychiatrist. There wasn't much they could say other than to keep busy. I started analyzing my nightmares after but I spent a lot of time sick because of them. I learned a bit from them but a couple of the nightmares still make me sick to my stomach.

TheOrionbeltseeker · 36-40, M

Hope everything sorts out on its own by his grace

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