How Dad’s Favorite TV Show Turned into a Nightmare

By MaryBeth Skylis

2 min read

Most of us have seen Alone before. But if you haven’t, it’s an adventure, survivalist show that takes 10 people and drops them into the wilderness where they attempt to stay alive for 100 days. Participants are allowed to take a few items onto the show in order to support their journey. But it still takes a lot of gumption for them to make it to the end of the show.

My parents recently got into this show, watching a late-night episode from the comfort of the living room. Neither of them have ever been huge camping fans, and I think the show gives them a lens into an alternate reality. It has quickly become a favorite source of entertainment for my parent’s weary eyes.

A vivd dream

One night, after watching his nightly episode of Alone, Dad had a dream. He was in the woods when a skunk appeared out of nowhere. The little creature seemed unassuming in its little black and white tuxedo. But then it fixed its gaze on my dad, who was quickly becoming the next target.

Suddenly, the skunk charged towards him, lifting its tail slightly. Fearing that he was about to become coated in a thick layer of skunk goo, dad kicked the skunk, attempting to get it away from him. And then my mom woke him up. He’d be kicking her in his sleep instead of the skunk.

Concerned about the risks

At first, I giggled when my dad told me this story. As someone who spends a lot of time in the woods, I know skunks to be non-aggressive animals. The idea that my dad should encounter the only aggressive skunk on the planet seemed funny to me. In fact, most animals run away from humans, given an encounter.

But when dad was done telling his story, a sadness lingered on his face. And my laughter dissipated. My mom was unharmed after this incident. But what if she got hurt next time? What if he started punching a criminal in his dream, only to find that my mom took the brunt of the incident? What if he kicked the next skunk a little too hard and Mom paid the price?

Reducing the outbreaks

Dad has since talked to his Parkinson's disease neurologist about this dilemma. Sometimes his dreams appear to be so vivid, he can’t tell the difference between sleep and reality. And it’s in this phase of sleep in which he’s most prone to kicking or hitting my mom.

Dad is never excited at the prospect of adding more medications to his daily cocktail. But he wanted to know if there were steps he could take to reduce the risk of hurting my mom. His physician told him that he could take a low dose of melatonin, which could help to reduce or eliminate these aggressive outbreaks.

For now, dad chooses not to take melatonin on most nights because it makes it really groggy in the morning. But he and my mom put a second bed in their room just incase she needs an escape route for the night. Neither of them really wants to sleep Alone.

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Thea Destephano Member
MaryBeth How wise of your parents to prepare for the possibility that she may need to move to another bed to stay safe and get a good night’s sleep. It proves that there is always a solution. After 57 years of marriage I can’t imagine sleeping in a room alone. The 40 days I spent in skilled nursing were the worst and frequently my husband slept in the recliner next to my bed so we could still fall asleep holding hands. There apparent love for one another is an inspiration. Thea DeStephano Community Team Member
sesimbra Member
My husband has suffered from severe and prolonged nightmares from which he is unable to wake easily for over a year now. They often involve either being in extreme danger or one of the family is in danger. Another one is that people have broken into our home and have ransacked it or even occupied the house and I can't get rid of them. He is often in places he has never been to (eg. he might say 'Last night I was in Egypt...) and the dreams can resume the next night like the next instalment. . I have to talk it through with him until he realises it is a dream, not reality. On occasion we have had to telephone the family member he believed to have been harmed so they can reassure him they are ok. It is very distressing and he dreads nights. He is now in a nursing home so does not have me to reassure him although on occasion the night staff have sat with him. He has been taking malatonin for over a year. He has never hit out at me during a hallucination but has pushed the carers away because in his dream they were coming to hurt him. He has also fallen because he was trying to run away in his dream although he is no longer able to stand. I think this is the worst aspect of his advanced Parkinsons because he always seems so anxious.
1. Phil Horton Member
 @sesimbra. Is your husband a vet by chance? The VA has a six week dream/nightmare program that I found very effective. I had been having recurring nightmares ever since my service in Vietnam. The program has mostly eliminated my nightmares. Another question for his neurologist is on drug side effects Drugs like Arequipa/Ropinerol can cause nightmares & hallucinations. Phil
2. sesimbra Member
 <inline-mention username="Phil Horton" user-id="3091946"/> Thank you for your concern. No, he was not a vet - an art and design teacher. I am glad you have found help for your nightmares. Here in the UK you get to see your Parkinson's specialist about once in 8 months. We have a meeting this week so hope she has some helpful suggestions.
Sedona2012 Member
Mary Beth, My wife and I love Alone. The affect it has on your Father is unfortunate. You folks are taking appropriate precautions. I am glad to hear you are talking to his neurologist. Parkinson’s is so very tough. I take Melatonin which I buy at Costco. 10 mg extended release. No with the guidance of my doctor at bedtime I take a 10 mg c/l also extended release. It seems to help my sleep. My illness is always changing, but I am extremely lucky to have a Doctor who “partners” wIth me on Medication decisions. Good Luck to you and your Mom and Dad, Blessings, Mike.
Suzanne Troy Member
<inline-mention username="MaryBeth Skylis" user-id="3084841"/> Hello, I'm sorry to hear that your dad is having nightmares. My dad was having nightmares even before he was diagnosed with PD at age 72. He would watch old war movies and then thrash around. Once almost hitting my mom. It worked best in recent years if my dad wouln't watch "violent" news or shows in the evening before going to bed. He also did take some sort of sedative to relax him and induce sleep. He is almost 88 (in December) and recently we put him in a nursing home as his advanced stage of PD and dementia are becoming difficult to manage at my mom's house. Take care, Suzanne Troy, fellow team member
Dan Glass Member
I've been in the kick and punch predicament, too. It's scary enough being in bed alone, let alone with a spouse and pet. Thank you for sharing your dad's story. I hope he is able to find help and restful sleep.

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