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This Is A Disorder I'd Rather Not Be A Part Of

by Alejandra Dominguez
(El Monte, CA, USA)

I was unaware of the outcomes to REM Behavior Disorder. All my life I have experienced vivid and intense dreams. But last night was the last straw. Lately I have been stressing more than usual to the point where I noticed my teeth clenching, especially at night.


Last night my son went to sleep with us due to the very cold weather and he usually slumps his arms over us (since he was a baby) as if a reaction of safety to feel if we're still there. In the midst of my crazy dream I remember being half asleep and all of a sudden biting my son's arm. I remember thinking, "Oh my God, did I just do that?! Did I just bite my son?! I can't believe I did that!"

I fell asleep feeling sad and awoke to forget that it occurred until my son took off his sweater and I noticed the full teeth marks in his soft skin. I'm so devastated beyond words, I feel like it should have been me. I should have bit myself, my tongue, my cheek, whatever!

Anything that could've prevented it from happening to him. I've slept with my son since he was born, its hard to give him up to his own bed when you're used to your child's presence which helped me sleep. How can I ever trust myself again? My son didn't deserve this and my body's showing me how much of a bad mother I am, even if it was an awful, terrible, accident.

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Sep 07, 2015
 Similar thing happened to me NEW
by: Anonymous

I had ampst the same thing happen, but I bit my baby daughters head. I freaked out ran to my moms room and asked her to check her fontanel and make sure I didn't seriously injure her. I can't sleep I cry all the time about it. I can't sleep without her but I don't want to risk having her where it might happen again. This is horrible
May 08, 2023
 Sending empathy & peace NEW
by: Anonymous

I am so sorry for you having this experience. It is not your "fault," or something you should feel shame or guilt about, although if I were in your shoes, I imagine I would feel the same way. I just assumed I would never be able to sleep with a partner, based on my early thrashing and occasionally attacking someone in my bed. And I never did stay with a man for long, never married, nor had children. I would definitely fear doing something similar to my child. I haven't had problems for many years, decades, however, and have been on medication for depression/anxiety/ptsd which likely has helped. (But I still can talk or yell in my sleep.) Perhaps you can see an expert and get a medication that might make you "safer" while you sleep so you don't have to worry about hurting someone inadvertently. Or, sleep alone. But, it is lonely. Perhaps it isn't a full-blown disorder but just something to do with hormonal changes or some mood or emotional issue from some change in your life at this time. Wishing you peace of mind & whatever you need to feel good about yourself.

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