Sleep Disorders Forum - Do I have some type of sleeping disorder related to stress?

Ever since I experienced a traumatic inncident in my life about two years ago I experience shaking in my sleep. I use to have nightmares but not recently. The shaking occurs when im sad or stressed out. My head shakes back and forth like im nodding "no" really fast. It begins when I drift off to sleep. I can feel myself do it but I cant control it. I sometimes whimper or make whining sounds as if I was crying. I think have heard myself say the word no a couple of times.

Do i have some type of sleeping disorder related to stress? I really want it to stop..

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on April 18th, 2006

Sleep Disorders Answer A782

You may consider the possibility that you are suffering from "post-traumatic stress disorder" (PTSD). This disorder can manifest in various ways. The nightmares, head shaking, whimpering etc. that you report could be symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. I am concerned that this disorder has gone untreated for too long (2 years) after the traumatic incident so I recommend you ask for expert help from a psychiatrist or another mental health professional.

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