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Group Therapy: Shocked and confused...

Group Therapy: Shocked and confused...

Tue, 07/24/2007 - 2:00am by Anonymous
64,829 Views - 34 comments

Last night, something mortifying happened. My boyfriend, who I live with, went out with his friend for a beer and I went to bed. I fell asleep long before he came home, and when I woke up (at 3:30am) he was well... (god this is embarrassing) dry humping me in the spooning position. Granted, he was doing this while I was TOTALLY asleep. Like, 100% dead asleep (and I'm a heavy sleeper.) And it was definitely sexual, he was making sexual type noises.

Now, let me say that NOTHING like this has ever happened. I was so surprised when I woke up that I thought it wasn't him and spent a moment trying to decide if I should scream because I thought it was someone else, seeing as it was SO unlikely that he would do this. He's been nothing but sexually respectful the entire time we've been together, which is more than a year. However, this really scared the hell out of me because a few months before I met him I was sexually assaulted-- I woke up and a guy I had been seeing was having sex with me, so this is an especially touchy thing for me. And he knows it is, because I've told him that I was sexually assaulted and some information about how it happened.

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Anyway, while contemplating if I should scream, I realized it was him from his voice. So I waited a second and then said his name... at this point, he sort of rolled over and then seemed surprised that I was talking to him. I calmly asked him what he was doing and it seemed like he didn't know what I was talking about. I continued to tell him what had happened, and he claimed he had no recollection. Apparently he came home at 2 and went to sleep at 2:30. He also wasn't intoxicated at this point (even though he'd gone out), so I know that wouldn't account for any memory loss. When I told him and he realized I was serious (I can see how this would sound strange at first) he was SO upset. He said that he must have been asleep because he didn't remember and wouldn't have done it. He's apologized so much.

Here's my problem, though.... I'm extremely shocked about last night. It was terrifying to wake up like that (again) and then to have him deny it was even worse. And can I even believe him? Can something like that even happen while you're asleep? And how do I feel safe sleeping next to him now if he does things like that "in his sleep" what could be next? I can't imagine him EVER trying to do anything like that, so I just don't know how to proceed and move on.... as of right now, I'm scared to sleep in the same bed with him. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom!

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34 Comments Add a Comment

  • 1

    That's a tough one. I've never been sexually assaulted but I can tell you I have been married for six years and my husband does that crap to me almost every morning. Since your guy had been drinking, "one" beer very may have been actually three or four and it's truly possible he doesn't remember doing it. I don't think it's anything to worry about. Hope you feel better. Smiling

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 2

    radar... thanks. I guess I forgot to clarify that it wasn't necessarily what happened that bothered me (although it was REALLY weird, because it didn't really even seem like he was trying to wake me up, and when I did wake up he backed off) it was more that he denied it HARDCORE afterwards... if he'd done it trying to wake up and initiate something sexual, that's alright. A little weird, but forgivable. I'm so upset because he stopped after he realized I knew he was doing it and has denied it ever since.

    It could definitely just me being over sensitive about this stuff, though. Who knows. Thanks again xo

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 3

    OK, first, do not let the events of your past produce fears that affect your current situation or partner. Being sexually assaulted is certainly one of the most traumatic experiences a woman can have, but it can only go so far as to justify why you may have a heightened instinct...and thats where its involvement in this scenario should end.
    What your boyfriend was doing was actually more normal than you think, and actually pretty funny in my opinion. Guys have sexual dreams far more often than women, and it should flatter you that he was aware of you beside him even at a subconscious level. I doubt he knew what he was doing, and if he did, your reaction and accusatory aura probably scared him into denial. So lets cover three likely facts:

    1. He was not assaulting you. You guys are in a loving comitted relationship, which is why you live and sleep together.
    2. He didn't know what he was doing, or if he did, he did not deny it because he is trying to be deceptive or evil.
    3. He was dryhumping you because he desires you very deeply. Let go of your fear and negative viewpoint and try to see this for the embarassing and very funny event that it is.
    4. There is no need for shock. Men are sexual, in addition to all of the other amazing things they can be. After only a year, you definately don't know everything about him, so this should serve as a reminder that there is much more intrigue and excitement to come. How boring would it be if there wasn't??

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 4

    i'm sorry to hear that you are a victim of sexual assult. I can't imagine how hard it must be to not let that affect your daily life and new relationships.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 6

    Bless your heart!! This is tough; especially with past assault. This must be addressed unless you can pretend it didn't happen. Bringing it up will be frustrating and won't help if he can't remember. Did he know you were assaulted before you were a couple? Thank God he's embarrassed and not acting like it's normal behavior!!!
    How you proceed depends on your thoughts and feelings.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 7

    Thanks so much for your support.

    After having a day to chill, I see now that he didn't mean for things to be that way. I was just so surprised because my boyfriend is such a gentle person and he's almost never even sexually aggressive. It was very alarming because he had his arms around me in such a way that I couldn't move. It was alarmingly similar to being sexually assaulted... I'm sure any of you who have been can understand being touchy about things.

    wiciltd-- thanks so much for providing me that link. I had NO idea that this was actually a known disorder.

    I guess all of this just freaked me out because if he did that in his sleep, what else would he do? It's definitely something we'll have to address...

    Thanks Sugars!

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 8

    Oops. Smiling I signed onto my friend's account... she was using my laptop! this is mixed media.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 9

    I'm a little concerned at everyone's definition of sexual assault...all I'm saying...

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 10

    Sexual assault is any sexual contact not wanted

    And as someone who has been sexually assaulted i can tell you, that there are triggers.. and what may seem like it's begin to everyone else.. It sets something off in you that can make you go back to that place..

    Especially when it happens when your safe in your bed and jolted out of sleep by it.. I can only imagine the panic that would cause.. I feel bad for you

    but you have to make sure you talk to him about it, you can't shove it aside because it will fester.. Just let him know that you know it wasn't intentional.. but explain where you're coming from.. You don't have to point fingers and make him feel bad.. just discussing it rationally will help

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 11

    That's really a terrible thing for you ... and I've got to say that you may need counseling. I believe your boyfriend didn't purposely do what you say ... having been married for over 18years, the same thing has happened to me a handful of times, so I know what your talking about. And just because he's denying it doesn't mean that it's any duplicity on his part - he probably really doesn't remember. Men are like that in their sleep. Your reaction tells me you still need healing (I was sexually abused as a child, so I also understand your reaction.) and if your boyfriend is willing to go to counselling with you, great ... but you need to go by yourself at the very least.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 12

    I think Eternity said everything I wanted to say but I just want to add that I've been married for five years to the sweetest, most gentle, considerate man ever and he has done this more times than I can count. It's definitely not something to be embarrassed about.
    In the case with my husband he's usually having a sexual dream and instinctively reaches out to paw on me (the girl of his dreams...awww!) in his sleep. There have been times when he's half awake but not really sure if he's dreaming or not until I respond... there was even one time that he said he woke up happily surprised to find that we were in fact having sex.
    I understand your past assault has left you scarred but I really don't think this is anything to worry about. He probably got defensive because he was embarrassed but if this behavior truly frightens you, maybe you need to re-think if you're ready to be living or having sex with someone right now. Perhaps counseling might be a good idea if you're not in it already.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 13

    i agree with Betty that Eternity said it really well. i think you really need to disconnect this from being assaulted. i don't think your boyfriend would purposefully harm you in any way, or else there wouldn't even be a relationship. maybe do some therapy for the assault.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 16

    first of all, i am so sorry to hear that you are a survivor of sexual violence. i really don't think that your man means to make you feel that uncomfortable and violated. he loves you. i second betty, i think that some therapy would help you work through your feelings.
    my husband frequently "sleep humps", usually a firm smack knocks him out of it, he goes back to regular sleep and forgets it ever happened. i know lots of girls who say their boyfriends/husbands do this. it's not uncommon and i'm very certain that it's not meant to be harmful~they usually don't know they're doing it.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 17

    i have experienced a situation very much so like yours (so much like it, it's a little creepy) and i can totally understand and see where you are coming from. i was in a sexually abusive relationship for a long time because i really didn't know any better. it can really stunt your growth as a human being sexually and i'm proud of you for being upfront about it and confronting the situation - it took me a very long time to accept what had happened and start growing from it.

    that said, i am in a relationship now with someone i plan to marry. we've been together for 2 years and live together and he does this ALL THE TIME. i really think now that he just moves a lot in his sleep, but i often wake up to that, as well. it can be unsettling but every guy i know has done that. (dryhump in their sleep) i really don't think it's harmful unless he's awake and doing it intentionally - that's a big no-no. and it really can be a little embarassing for him. bf gets quite embarassed when i sometimes have to wake him up and say "dude, quit it or you're sleeping on the couch." i wouldn't worry - if he hasn't done it until now, i think it's safe to say you're in the clear of it being meant to be harmful.

    good luck.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 18

    I wouldn't be too worried about it. It sounds like with the combination of drinking and lack of sleep your guy was having a really good dream and you just happened to be there. Same thing happens when I talk in my sleep and my guy thinks I am awake and taking to him. He says he carries on full conversations with me and yet I have NO clue the next morning. It is a part of sleep where we are in between being awake and asleep and this is were walking and talking in our sleep happens. Our minds are sleep yet our body is awake. The other day my guy did kung fu kick to our window while sleeping (which is next to the bed) all because he was having a dream he was Jack Bower from 24.

    It sounds like it was a one time situation and I would just try to laugh about it. We all do things we are not aware of when we are sleeping. Drooling, talking, touching, etc. If this type of night time behavior continues, suggest your guy go to a sleep clinic.

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 19

    i can relate to your story. My boyfriend has "sexomnia" (yep, it's a real disorder) which makes him become sexually active while in REM sleep. If things dont progess into sex while he's having one of his "episodes" then he won't remember it in the morning. It's never bothered me because hes warned me about it but I can see how shocking and awkward it can make things.

    Is you boyfriend stressed? Sexomnia is usually brought on by constant stress so that could explain it.

    Hope this helps!!

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 20

    I wouldn't worry about it..My husband does that all the time when hes half-asleep..I've woke up and freaked out,and he doesn't remember it..apologizes and goes back to sleep..I think its very common for men to start dry-humping in thier sleep.Good Luck!!

    1 year 24 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 21

    Normally this would not be a big deal, and I would tell the guy: "hey dude, stop ok!?" or something along those lines. Because you have been sexually assaulted though, its obviously more of a problem. I agree with Eternity. Don't let your past affect your wonderful new relationship when your bf really wasn't trying to hurt you. Good luck.

    1 year 23 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 22

    I could see why the fact that you've been sexually assaulted has influenced your feelings in regards to your boyfriend dry-humping you in your sleep. i've been sexually assaulted too & any triggoring actions definately bring back all the associated feelings of the assault. however, i agree with everyone in that it's really common for men to act like that in their sleep. my boyfriend sometimes touches himself during his sleep & it freaks me out too but apparently it's normal!

    1 year 23 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 23

    I have to admit I've done something like this from time to time. I generally wake up after a while, and my partner has always been receptive in the past and one thing leads to another so it's been all good. Happens to me, I dunno, maybe once or twice a year. I always remember it in the morning, but sometimes my memories are pretty fuzzy, I could fully believe a guy could not remember it at all.

    1 year 23 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 25

    So sorry to hear that you are dealing with past sexual assault issues but I find the all the comments very amusing because of the consistent affirmation that men "hump" in their sleep. This has happened to me with my husband and there were a string of nights where he would wake me up and we'd have sex in the middle of the night. When I mentioned it to him in the morning that we had sex (and he definitely ejaculated) he had no memory of the events. I found it rather funny that he was "sleep-F*cking". Normally, I get pawed at and dry humped all the time when hubby's asleep. I hope you feel better that he is probably telling the truth.

    1 year 23 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 26

    Just because you're in a relationship and living together does not mean sexual assault between partners cannot occur. Consent is still key. Take from that what you will.

    1 year 23 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 27

    This kinda seems like something my boyfriend did to me in his sleep. He was dreaming...and talking..so it woke me up and i was listening (haha, that is soo much fun haha)and he thought he was at work. he works at a pizxza place, and his hands were in the air like he was making a the crust frmoa dough ball. anyways...when he was done, he sat up and poked the air (which turned out to be my eye ) as if he was clearing the order off the screen haha. (on a different night)he sat straight up, hung his legs off the bed as though he wer just sitting there, i sat beside him, loving it, and he patted the bed next to him and said Dr. Shawn. I don't know who or what this meant, and neither did he, but we had a good laugh off of it, jsut like the poking my eye to clear the screen thing haha.

    He could so easily have been dreaming, and had no recollection at all...and i know it must be hard for you with what has happened to you in the past, but try to take his word for it. you love and trust him right? youc ould chalk this up to hilarious

    1 year 21 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 28

    I really REALLY think that it was not intentional, dream-humping, which while frightening for you, should not reflect on his character. From your description he seems a lovely person and he has apologised many times, he is probably horrified he made you feel that way and doesnt know what to do to make it better. You need to see a therapist about this though, they can help you both.

    1 year 21 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 29

    I actually went through something simular when one of my guy friends stayed over at my place. I have enver felt the smae about him and really have never gotten past it. sorry you wnet through that with him.... You have to just lay it on the line with him.

    1 year 21 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 30

    I don't think it was ne thing then normal!!! He was probley having a dream or one hell of a mourning (LOL) I wouldn't be too concerned about this!!! I would just take it easy!! Hope u feel better =)

    1 year 21 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 31

    i think there is a good possibility he was sleeping. does he have any reason to lie about not remembering it? if he has respected you the entire relationship, i'm sure he wouldn't have just jumped the chain and started being disrespectful. he seems to care a lot about you and people can have dreams like that. i dont think it's right to accuse him of lying. i know you were hurt before, but it doesnt mean he is trying to hurt you too. i hope you are giving the situation some more thought, because i think oyu might just be upset more, because of the simple fact that you were assaulted before. don't loose your trust.

    1 year 21 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 32

    haha, I've been known to wake up my man by dry humping his leg a time or two, I think it got so bad that I did it for one week st8!! I'm a heavy sleeper and he's a light sleeper so poor thing, I was completely out and unaware of my actions and he would wake up in the middle of the nite by me..lol..kinda funny we laughed about it but it did bother me to know that I was doing this and had no memory of it at all! I was like what else can i do while I'm asleep?!?
    Then about 2-3 weeks after I was told I was doing this I was on my way to work and on the radio they were talking about this, about some new study that people while completely asleep start dry humping and some even initiate sex and follow thru it with there partners with no memory of doing this at all!! Smiling I was shocked.

    I am sure he did this in an innocent way mixed media with no harm in mind to you, it is embarrasing to be told you are doing this while asleep and even more frustrating not being able to remember it at all...
    - Orchid23

    1 year 19 weeks ago Report Comment
  • 33

    If you're really just worried that he denied it.. maybe he did so because he knew your past and how you were sensitive about it and when he could sense that you were bothered he didnt want to scare you or make you feel uncomfortable so he denied remembering it.. he was prob just scared that you would think he was sexually assaulting you

    20 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment

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