Follow-Up: KathyM, Gosh, your letter sounded like my life, not only have I always had gory, Stephen King-would-be-afraid kind of dreams while I was asleep, but I also had a tendency to have waking nightmares of the most terrifying kind. Things like a strange urge for self mutilation, and for going after my boyfriend with blunt objects, Urges like I can't even describe. Thankfully, I knew I had narcolepcy after my mom was diagnosed. That helped me understand the nightmares and anxiety attacks but it didn't make them go away. Now that I have a job and insurence I will be able to get it taken care of. For three months, before my mom was diagnosed (for compleately different symptomes) I had "attacks" like yours every night. Since I didn't know what it was, I went to my family doctor, I was diagnosed with anxiety attacks and put on Paxil, an anti-depressent This worked wonders, however if you or any one you know has been on any kind of antidepressant, you'll know that this drug makes normal sleep like a coma. I just wanted you to know you aren't alone, I know those terrible nights and the feeling of panic and self-hatred that comes along sometimes. I hope things are better than when you originaly wrote this. Anne