Evie,

You are right on. When I "talk" things out it is to process but I need to start and talking about is the start. Just talking about it won't do, but on the other hand for some going straight into "process" as the idea is too much and can scare them off. Look at it like steps instead of whole picture.

Again, you are right, you must work through it. Not just do the first step of it as talking and expect it done. Nightmares certainly do not work that way.

Also, look into current life stresses to figure out why they are back. I too take for granted when I get long breaks and am forced to look into and work on current stress to make them go away. It is the only way from my experience.

I am not anti analyze. Analyzing can help clue me in when I am unaware exactly what it is I need to be looking at and fixing. No short cuts to end them though at all but well worth the work!