Night Terror Safety

[MaBoomStick]

Soooooo... I had a night terror early this morning.

I'll keep it brief.

I lifted my head thinking it was 5:30, ready to get up. And simply put, I saw a man coming out of my bathroom. Of course it wasn't real, but level with me for a sec. This creepy douche was just walking towards me. So I grab the nearest item (my phone) and chuck it as hard as I can at it.

1, I didn't know I threw my phone

2, I really woke up APPARENTLY when the phone hit the wall, floor, whatever.....


Now Carrie is still asleep (She will never wake up to a break-in) an has no idea. But that is not my greatest worry.

Now I've had night terrors before, some worse than this, but this is the first time it happened in a while. My worry is: Some people keep a gun near them (on the nightstand, behind the door, etc) in case of a mid-night break-in, what would happen if it was my shotgun that was closer? Also, what do you guys think would be a good place to keep a firearm, in case of said night terror situation?

Remember, in a night terror, you are in the weird midway point between sleep and awoken, and form my experience, you cant really tell what is real, and lack the mental capacity in the moment to make rational thought.

I just worry I could really hurt myself, Carrie, and my neighbors. I do not suffer from ptsd (I've heard people link ptsd to be the ONLY cause of night terrors)



And yes, I tried turning it on, it's fucked up, and Carrie is gonna be pissed

 

[spat]

While it puts you as a tactical disadvantage, I would secure my firearms in such a way that I needed to be conscious and aware to access them if there were anyone suffering from your condition in the house.

Do you think you would be capable of entering a combination and opening a safe in your semi-conscious state ? If you would be, maybe you should get something with a time lock of sorts or maybe a biometric lock so that it takes a different combination at night and only Carrie has it.

The disadvantage that having to spend time waking her provides seems an acceptable trade off given the severe danger the condition presents. Especially when you consider the odds that a breaking is real vs imagined.

 

[Saltwater60]

I agree you would not be a good candidate for leaving your gun on a nightstand by your bed. Good job realizing this could be an issue. Some morons would just say oh I'm fine it will never happen and end up being on the news. I would do some research to see what people in night terror situations are capable of and go one step further. I agree it puts you at a disadvantage, but you've had night terrors before and no break ins. So the night terror issue is more pressing.

 

[twax100]

I agree with spat. It might not be the most efficient way to get your firearm out but a safe that takes a little 'work' to get into might not be a bad idea.

 

[Calculon]

I don't know anything about them other than they are rare in children and even more so in adults. Would suggest talking to your doctor if haven't already done so.

Other than that a biometric or coded lock seems like a great idea.

 

[MikeM]

^^^^^^^^^
In this f'd up state, talking to your doctor could get you to lose your guns.

 

[GOYABEAN]

You should have a sleep study done you never know might be something simple as sleep apnea ?

Good luck

 

[Phauxtoe]

first off
Put a nerf football on the night stand!

second
as above go do a sleep study, you can learn a lot, and it might be an easy fix.

third
lock stuff up until you figure all this out!

 

[Mr. terzmo]

Soooooo... I had a night terror early this morning.

I'll keep it brief.

I lifted my head thinking it was 5:30, ready to get up. And simply put, I saw a man coming out of my bathroom. Of course it wasn't real, but level with me for a sec. This creepy douche was just walking towards me. So I grab the nearest item (my phone) and chuck it as hard as I can at it.

1, I didn't know I threw my phone

2, I really woke up APPARENTLY when the phone hit the wall, floor, whatever.....


Now Carrie is still asleep (She will never wake up to a break-in) an has no idea. But that is not my greatest worry.

Now I've had night terrors before, some worse than this, but this is the first time it happened in a while. My worry is: Some people keep a gun near them (on the nightstand, behind the door, etc) in case of a mid-night break-in, what would happen if it was my shotgun that was closer? Also, what do you guys think would be a good place to keep a firearm, in case of said night terror situation?

Remember, in a night terror, you are in the weird midway point between sleep and awoken, and form my experience, you cant really tell what is real, and lack the mental capacity in the moment to make rational thought.

I just worry I could really hurt myself, Carrie, and my neighbors. I do not suffer from ptsd (I've heard people link ptsd to be the ONLY cause of night terrors)

View attachment 7967

And yes, I tried turning it on, it's fucked up, and Carrie is gonna be pissed

Get rid of your guns and seek medical advice. Then you have no worry.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

• I agree with Spat. Put any beside firearms in a safe that requires a certain level of consciousness to open.
  
• Re-evaluate your sleep
  • I used to have terrible Sleep Paralysis and "Night Terrors" you described, although mine were often strange, and less scary. Everything stopped when I started sleeping 7-8 hours a night (on average) instead of 6 or less.
    
  • sleep studies do require a trip to the doctor first, they are expensive, and insurance won't cover them without one.

 

[capitalcrew]

I wouldn't keep a gun close if I was you. Too risky. As was said if you do be sure it is something that requires your full consciousness to use. Good luck

 

[togmaster]

Not the best thing to post on the internet if you aspire to keep your guns. Seek professional help.

 

[Glenn B]

Well, if this is for real here is what I would do in a similar situation:

1) I would not keep a gun loaded or unloaded anywhere near me that was not locked up, same for ammo and magazines. I would not even keep a knife nearby.

2) I would discuss the problem with my spouse.

3) I would visit my MD and explain what has been going on as there well could be physical causes for such behavior.

4) I would seek professional mental health therapy if my regular MD recommended it.

5) If I took illegal recreational drugs (which I do not) I would cease taking them immediately.

6) If I drank alcohol (which I do) I would stop.

7) Maybe a couple to few other things.

As to telling any doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, therapist or other health worker that you own guns - that choice has to be your own.

Good luck with that.

 

[GOPerfect]

What is the cause of these Night Terrors?

PTSD? Something else?

 

[capitalcrew]

As to telling any doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, therapist or other health worker that you own guns - that choice has to be your own.

Good luck with that.

The problem I think has become that you don't have to say you own guns to be reported to the state.

 

[Glenn B]

The problem I think has become that you don't have to say you own guns to be reported to the state.

I would go to see a doctor regardless.

I would think: You likely are not going to be reported just because you said you woke up half in and out of a dream and the nonexistent bogey man scared you and you threw your phone at him even though you admit it is somewhat recurrent. I also would think: You are much more likely to be considered as a danger to yourself or others, and reported to the state by medical personnel, if you tell them about something like this condition and also tell them you own guns and keep a loaded one near the bed.

Avoiding diagnosis and treatment, because you are concerned you will be reported to the state, and thus not seeing a Medical Doctor and possibly following up with a mental health provider, if found necessary by your regular physician, is almost certainly not the answer with a condition like this. This could result in someone being severely injured. What if that had been a spouse or child coming out of the bathroom, but the "night terror" was in effect and everything played much the same. The phone could have caused severe damage if it struck someone in the head. Worse yet, what if the OP had grabbed a gun and shot at one of them.

Again, this may be based on a physical or mental ailment or combination of both. I strongly recommend seeing a medical doctor about this to define the problem and to possibly eliminate one or the other, and then following the doctor's advice on how to proceed such as following up with therapy or a sleep study, or whatever else might be prescribed by the MD.

 

[Criticalt]

Personally I keep my gun next to me with NO round chambered, so I must rack before firing.
Of course theres not a human on earth that is going to get to my bedroom, my pack will see to that.

I will been awoken by blood curdling screams as the baddie is being torn to pieces............or 4 very scared dogs barking in fear......

 

[capitalcrew]

I would think: You likely are not going to be reported just because you said you woke up half in and out of a dream and the nonexistent bogey man scared you and you threw your phone at him even though you admit it is somewhat recurrent. I also would think: You are much more likely to be considered as a danger to yourself or others, and reported to the state by medical personnel, if you tell them about something like this condition and also tell them you own guns and keep a loaded one near the bed.

I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to explain why he and others may be thinking the way they are.

 

[Robin]

Stop eating those six day old left over tuna salad sandwiches before bed.
Robin

 

[Automan21]

Ive never experienced night terrors. Maybe someday I would, sounds fun. Like sleep walking I'm guessing.
I only experience really horrible nightmares, screaming and punching while in slumber. Everyone is afraid to wake me up.

 

[Saltwater60]

My son had night terrors and it was terrifying for my wife and I. The screams, shaking, and tears were so bad we could not make out a word he said. He used to see people in his bedroom as well. So the poster is not bsing or exaggerating. It's not PTSD, drug, or alcohol related. As for the cause I'm no expert, but my 5-7 year old did not have PTSD and did not take drugs or alcohol. My son did have poor sleep habits, but I'd say they were asthma related. I truly feel for the poster and hope this gets straightened out. I will never forget how scared my son was during those. I think I'd be less scared if some one was trying to kill me for real. It's horrible.

 

[Glenn B]

I'm not disagreeing with you, just trying to explain why he and others may be thinking the way they are.

Did not mean to give the impression I thought you were arguing. Just wanted to reiterate to those in such a situation, they need to get checked out.

 

[Glenn B]

My son had night terrors and it was terrifying for my wife and I. The screams, shaking, and tears were so bad we could not make out a word he said. He used to see people in his bedroom as well. So the poster is not bsing or exaggerating. It's not PTSD, drug, or alcohol related. As for the cause I'm no expert, but my 5-7 year old did not have PTSD and did not take drugs or alcohol. My son did have poor sleep habits, but I'd say they were asthma related. I truly feel for the poster and hope this gets straightened out. I will never forget how scared my son was during those. I think I'd be less scared if some one was trying to kill me for real. It's horrible.

While Night Terrors are not usually associated with PTSD in children - you could be very wrong to say the same about adults.

In children with night terrors, there is no increased occurrence of psychiatric diagnoses.[10] However, in adults who suffer from night terrors there is a close association with psychopathology or mental disorders. There may be an increased occurrence of night terrors—particularly among those suffering or having suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is also likely that some personality disorders may occur in individuals with night terrors, such as dependent, schizoid, and borderline personality disorders.[10] There have been some symptoms of depression and anxiety that have increased in individuals that have suffered from frequent night terrors. Low blood sugar is associated with both pediatric and adult night terrors.[5][11] A study of adults with thalamic lesions of the brain and brainstem have been occasionally associated with night terrors.[12] Night terrors are closely linked to sleepwalking and frontal lobe epilepsy.

Source: Night terror - Wikipedia - I cannot speak to the veracity of anything at Wikipedia but this all seems rather well written and cites a lot of other works that makes it seem believable. Note that the piece does not say Night Terror is caused by any of the above conditions but is often comorbid with one or more of them and hints that PTSD may exacerbate the night terrors. Yes they could be the cause and no they might not be the cause. The article is quite interesting. It made me wonder, could any of those other conditions be caused by the night terrors.

 

[Glenn B]

MaBoomStick,

The way, the more I reread your original post the more it seems that possibly was not a night terror attack as it does not match several descriptions I have read about those attacks. It almost seems more a continuation of a stressful dream upon waking. I wonder, could this be related to REM Sleep Disorder in which people have been known to jump out of bed and take violent action as a continuation of their dreaming. Of course, I am only a somewhat educated layman but again have to stress the importance of seeing a doctor or doctors and getting the proper diagnoses before even considering treatment or how to otherwise cope with this situation. Hope you get over this sooner than later.

All the best,
Glenn B

 

[Greywolf224]

Please what ever you do, Dont keep your hand held phone on your night stand either. Otherwise its gonna get expensive.

@MaBoomStick Kidding aside, watch what you write here. If I was you I'd have this thread pulled.
Do whatever you gotta do to get it done and keep hush about it.

 

[spat]

The problem I think has become that you don't have to say you own guns to be reported to the state.

The trick isn't to keep your mouth shut, it is to find a competent doctor who will do their job and not try to bring some personal agenda into things.

If his waiting room has issues of Field and Stream and American Rifleman on the table, your probably safe. If it's got Mother Jones and Huffington Post, do you really want to take medical advice from him to begin with ?

 

[redtail]

Get a dog.

Safety first.

 

[Podmonkey]

Get a handgun safe, and pit the safe under your bed or in the closet, what have you. I doubt you would be able to do through the sequence necessary to get your gun during an episode. You could also try leaving the mag out of but nearby the gun.

 

[4excal]

Ya all scared the laddie right off the forum

 

[4excal]

What is the cause of these Night Terrors?

PTSD? Something else?

His final sentence in the OP answers part of your question..but the whole thread became a mystery as he disappeared...