Several decades ago, I had a recurring type of nightmare which majored and exacerbated a particular phobia - I even went to the doctor about it which did not help. Such a night could leave me physically wrecked for many hours. But what did aid me was when I recognised that I still had self-awareness during the nightmares. From that point on, they became easy to combat. All I did was force myself to wake up. I would then get up for a few minutes and all would be well when I returned to bed.
Years on - the problem no longer exists.
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