Insommoa/not sleeping but still dreaming? Is that possible?

Signs and symptoms
1

Is it possible to dream when you haven’t slept a wink all night? I spend every second week with my family for work purposes, and everytime I am there I cannot sleep. Max I can get is four hours on a good night, but I can go days without a wink of sleep. It’s been a total nightmare. I don’t know why I can’t sleep (I’ve tried everything, diet, sleep hygiene, exercise, valerian, sleep aid pills, dark room, no noise, sleep restriction, using the bed for sleep only etc, Even a benzo pill didn’t work). Then I catch up on sleep the next week when I’m back at home.

ANYWAY, point is even though I don’t sleeep (I lie there tossing and turning all staring at the ceiling, check my phone to see a few hours have passed), I still dream. I know this because the next day I recall dreams vividly, things that the brain couldn’t think up (like me riding robots, riding the city train to Italy when I live in Australia etc.,) I remember them so clearly as dreams, yet I didn’t sleep, and during the whole night I wasn’t conscious of these dreams.

Is this normal? Is it possible that I did sleep but am unaware of it? Or am I just sleep deprived? It’s weird and I’ve researched this but can’t find an explanation. I guess I’m holding onto a shred of hope that I am dreaming and thus sleeping, but just don’t feel it…otherwise is it possible to hallucinate like this, where your hallucinations are almost dream like?

Please, any answers would be greatly appreciated. Its driving me insane. And of course, advice on how to tackle this Insomnia too.

2

This is because of benzo use.

3

Hi Lydia,

Sorry to hear about your problem but glad that you can catch up on sleep.

Try googling SSM (sleep state misperception). I think you'll find it reassuring.

4

What kind of activities do you engage in during your normal day? I ask this to know your level of physical activity. Do you shower before you sleep? This is especially important because you don't want to carry all that sweat and dust to your bed. Make sure you have a deep clean bath before bed every night. The benefit of this beside good personal hygiene is that it relaxes the body and mind. When your body is relaxed and your mind is at peace, your body would naturally get ready to drift into peaceful sleep.

Engaging in high physical activities would tire your body out and make it beg for a rest. That's how you get your body ready. Then, drag yourself to shower. Yes, I say drag because your body wouldn't want you to go through the stress of bathing. But you can't go to bed with all the sweat, dust, and dirt. So, hop in the shower and treat yourself to a nice bath. Let me know how this works for you. Good luck!