Okay, I'm sorry Bailey, but this post has been bothering me ever since you posted it, I just haven't said anything because I feel like a total retard. I've tried to forget about it but it keeps bothering me.

To explain, other than PTSD I am autistic, and I have trouble with certain types of humour, especially if it's subtle or there's innuendo. Innuendo is a really difficult concept for me. I take things very literally. Anyways, my point is, can someone please explain to me the humour here? I am not trying to be rude or snotty, I seriously do not understand what is funny. Logically, I don't see the humour. I did stop sleeping because of my nightmares, for weeks at a time sometimes. Why is that funny? It wasn't funny to not sleep for days on end. Seriously I don't get it and I feel like a retard, so if someone could explain it I would be grateful. My dad tried but I didn't understand his explanation. Maybe because the humour is old fashioned? Ugh I don't know. Somebody please explain if you can!

Hey, Evie - let me give it a shot although I am not making much sense these days so take it with caution. Alot of times when people say they have found a solution to something, a sarcastic/humor-intended reply someone might make is that they just "quit doing it". For example, I could say that I have found a cure for my asthma...I quit breathing. Or I have discovered how to fix road rage...quit driving. She was joking with you in that you said you had found a way to stop nightmares...hence her comment you quit sleeping because you can't have nightmares as long as you are awake. Flashbacks, daymares, etc., etc. but not the traditional definition of nightmares. She was not intending it as any insult at all - just kind of sarcastic humor at something we battle so furiously against. Does that help at all? It is also possibly a more common American humor? I am not sure there but just a thought.

Hmm yeah actually I think so Grace, thanks so much! I never thought about it as being sarcastic humour. Usually I understand sarcasm. Thanks for the example of stopping breathing, that's a good comparison for me. I think what threw me off was the "I stopped sleeping" part because I really did stop sleeping at one point to avoid the nightmares, and it wasn't funny at all. And just to be clear, I was never insulted by the joke, just confused. To quote Mr. Spock (who I relate to sooo much!!) "Humour... it is a difficult concept. It is not logical." ;) Though I do obviously have my own sense of humour too, a warped one. :p

lol - I like your sense of humor, Evie. I thought the part about asthma might help as you understand that well too. Nope - not funny at all to stop sleeping to avoid the nightmares. I am not sleeping at the moment for nightmares and other reasons so I understand. I am so glad you are back home in your own bed and can't start healing.

Much appreciated for that explanation Grace. Very sensible. As Evie says, yours truly didn't have much luck explaining. ;-)

Jim.

Hey Evie,

Love the Star Trek pun..."warped sense of humour"...LOL

Glad I could help, Jim. =)

Hi spiitofnow...welcome to the forum!

I also have goten much needed relief from my nightmares....i sometimes am afraid to go to sleep if my mind has been working ovetime but they are fewer and far between and now when and if I do have them...they don't upset me as much ( It might make me have a bad day ) but I am not as fearful of the nightmares so much anymore. It has taken a lot of work and in my case a lot of CBT.

Guys, I wish I was progressing in this dept. as well as everyone else, I still have horrendous dreams and at times just bawl. I wake up at least 5 times a night and intercept alot of them by waking. I am haunted when I sleep sadly.

LOL I didn't think anyone caught that! ;)

Portabella, I'm sorry to hear you're still having so many nightmares. It definitely sucks. Mine have actually increased lately too. I know what it's about though, I am being triggered on the forum, so if I slowly work through my triggers here I know the nightmares will decrease once more. It definitely sucks though, I thought I was past having this much trouble. It feels like a setback for me.