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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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Peaceful · F
When did they start? What childhood traumas did you experience? These are questions I would ask someone I was working with privately.
They started when I was 12 or 13 and as far as I can remember there was no trauma. I can only remember the nightmares
Peaceful · F
@FrustratedAndUnderPaid what changes were taking place at that age? A move, divorce, death in the family...
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?
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