10 Nightmares And What They Are Trying To Tell You

 / 

,
10 Nightmares And What They Are Trying To Tell You

Think of a time when you woke up in the middle of the night, soaking in sweat, shaking with fear, and feeling your heart in the mouth. Yes! If you have been there, you know nightmares are no fun. They are absolute terror.

And itโ€™s understandable that you might be having nightmares recently, the meanings of which you have no clue about and this is how you stumbled upon this article.

Even a person with sound mental health can seldom have their dreams turn into dark, vivid, and terrifying images, interrupting their sleep. Sadly, some people find it extremely difficult to fall asleep, once they wake up from a nightmare.ย 

It is absolutely natural to have nightmares now and then. Many children have nightmares but they generally stop between the age of 9 to 11 years but if the nightmares keep disturbing your sleep past that age, you might as well be having them for the rest of your life. Interestingly, children have more nightmares than adults. About 10-50% of the children have them while only a mere 2.5-10% of the adults have them.

Women tend to have more nightmares and emotionally based dreams than men.

Read 8 Quotes By Elon Musk That Will Motivate You To Follow Your Dreams

What causes nightmares?

Nightmares can have their sources in trauma, physical illness, stress and anxiety, or psychopathology. Both the prevalence of nightmares and the relation between nightmares and measures of psychopathology have been extensively studied.

Some other causes of nightmares according to research are:

  • Hyperarousal & impaired fear extinction
  • Childhood adversity
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Genetics
  • Medication and substance abuse
  • Lack of proper sleep
  • Exposure to disturbing fiction & scary movies, books etc before bed

Read Interpreting Your Dreams: What Messages Dreams Give You About Your Life

How is a nightmare different from dreams?

Dreams are images and sensations created by our subconscious mind with the help of the information we perceive in our waking life. Unlike nightmares, dreams are not only imageries that have a horrific or fear-evoking element in it.

Dreams can be soothing, based on wish-fulfillment, fun, romantic, and sometimes bizarre, disturbing or frightening. Some dreams will actually leave you grinning when you wake up, wishing to go back to sleep to complete it.

A nightmare, on the other hand, has an aversive nature – no one really feels gratified, pleased or pacified after experiencing a nightmare.

Hartmann (1984) defined a nightmare as a long, frightening dream that awakens the sleeper, and awakening from a frightening dream has been used as an operational definition of nightmares by others. (1) Some of the researchers believe that nightmares are categorically an individual experience and hence is better left for the participants to describe.

Nightmares come in different forms and shapes having very distinct themes, contexts, feel, and varying vividness. Your Nightmares might surprisingly be trying to hint you at something you have been long ignoring.

Analyzing the meaning of nightmares is not too difficult when you know the key themes and compare them with your current life incidents.

nightmares help prepare people to deal with difficult situations in real life.

Here’re 10 common nightmares and what they might mean for you.

Once you go back and retrospect, you will realize they are simply reflecting your life and what you are currently going through.

1. Drowning:

downing

Often you might dream of drowning in some deep water body; it could either be you slipping deeper into the depths of water by yourself or it might be someone trying to drown you in the water with force while you struggle to get out of it.

Drowning nightmares will characteristically occur when a person is going through an emotionally overwhelming phase of life. A person who has nightmares of drowning might be having some repressed or badly regulated emotions – related to work, career, contemporary relationships, family or friends, which need to be addressed and resolved.

These are the thoughts or feelings that need to be processed and heard in conscious life. 

2. Being trapped:

trapped in dream

The nightmare theme of being trapped can occur in different forms – either you are trapped in a place where chances of escape are thin or you have been trapped in a place from where escape is possible, with a little effort on your part.

Very likely, a trapped nightmare means that you are facing a conflict situation in your life. It literally means you feel trapped in a life situation from which escape is getting difficult because of your inability to process the means of escape or you find the trapped situation both approachable and avoidable and hence the conflict.

Ask yourself, are you complying with something which you genuinely donโ€™t want to continue doing?

Are you going against your deepest desires?

Seeing oneself physically trapped might reflect the โ€˜stucknessโ€™ in real life. It can be in varied fields of your life – professional or personal. You might be trapped in an abusive relationship, or in financial debt, lagging behind in academics or stuck at work with no signs of progress.

3. Falling:

falling from height

This is typically one of the most common nightmares. Whether you are falling from a tree, from skyscrapers, from cliffs, from the terrace, from the sky, or anywhere, falling nightmares indicate stress and anxiety. It also is associated with physical fatigue and burnouts.

When the body hits the bed after a long, extremely tiresome day, your chances of having a falling nightmare become increasingly high.ย 

Are you working overtime hours beyond your physical capacities?

Are you hydrating yourself enough and resting well?

Read 6 Ways People Avoid Their True Feelings Which Does More Harm Than Not

4. Being shot in your dream:

being shot

Nightmares about being shot can have different contexts depending on what you experienced. You could be shot in a war which would mean a past experience of a conflict or fall out with a specific convention.

Even though interpretations are always more meaningful when the context is taken into consideration but on a general extent, being shot signifies that you are avoiding some kind of confrontation. It might be with a friend, your parents, your colleagues, your partner, your neighbor, or even yourself.

It might indicate a guilt-triggering thought that you might be trying to suppress.

Are you being unable to forgive yourself for something you did?

5. Being chased by someone:

being chased

The theme of such nightmares can range from being chased by strangers, by an authority figure, by shadowy figures or by yourself. 

Each context has different meanings but on a general level, it means that you are avoiding an unwanted and undesirable thought, especially related to the person you see chasing you.  If the person chasing you is a shadowy figure, you are anxious about some of the past experiences or you are avoiding an unfinished task.

If the person chasing you is a stranger or an unidentified human figure, you might be apprehensive and uncertain about your near future. 

6. Silent Scream:

silent scream

You might have a nightmare where the only image you have is that of you trying to scream to desperately express something but in vain. No sound comes out of your mouth and you can vividly feel the frustration and helplessness associated with the inability to utter a single word.

Silent screams can mean that you are holding onto information within yourself which you want to unburden to someone but you canโ€™t because you feel unheard. 

This can also mean that you are stuck in a frustrating situation yet being unable to do anything about it. You feel helpless and hopeless.

You may be having a conflicted marriage or holding some bitterness towards someone or something, that you want to let go.

7. Of the dead:

dead

Some people dream of a close relative or someone dear to them who recently died and is terrified with the thought that their spirits are about to haunt them. To be very frank, dreams of the dead is not at all related to haunting. It simply means your mind is trying to process the loss and grief connected to it.

When you dream of your own death, you might actually be undergoing some physical illnesses which are making you highly aware of your own mortality. 

Dreams of death in general mean you are having difficulty in letting something or someone go – it could be your job, your house, your ex, or even some of your past traumatic experiences.

This could also mean you are having difficulty accepting changes that might be happening in your life.ย 

Read Signs It’s Not Your Body But Your Soul That’s Tired

8. Nightmares about ghosts:

ghosts

If you have repeated dreams of ghosts, monsters and shadow people, it might indicate some repressed traumatic, stressful incidents like molestation, sexual abuse or victimization of some sorts which immediately need to be resolved. 

Dreams of ghosts generally indicate extreme fear or anxiety related to something.

9. Apocalypse:

apocalypse

Vivid and chilling scenes of an apocalypse that might be brought about by a huge tsunami, alien attacks, asteroid, earthquake, or volcanic eruptions either point to an important transformation that is about to happen or is already happening in your life.

The transformation is generally drastic and significant, often stressful and anxiety-provoking like the beginning of professional or married life, divorce, or the death of near and dear ones.

10. Missing important events:

young businessman running in a city street

Missing important life events like a job interview, an important exam, a social event in your dreams is a very common theme of a nightmare. These types of dreams leave you feeling helpless, anxious, mortified and disappointed.

Similarly, in waking life, are you disappointing yourself by not being able to live up to your own expectations?

Most of these dreams occur when a person fails to keep up to his own expectations or the expectations of others. It can be a life-long or immediate goal but if you are repeatedly frustrating yourself by not being able to reach your goals, you might have more of these dreams.

Ask yourself, โ€œAre my goals and expectations realistic?โ€ โ€œAre they achievable?โ€

Reflect on your choices of goals and their contrast to your real potentials. 

We often believe these nightmares to have some paranormal indications, which is absolutely not the case, even if we like to believe so. Nightmares, like dreams, have their roots in our unconsciousness and are triggered by psychological issues.

Now itโ€™s your turn…

Are these nightmares simply symptomatic of an underlying clinical condition? Or do they have other supernatural connotations? Let me know in the comments section what you think of your nightmares.

Reference:

  1. See also: Coalson, 1995; Feldman & Hersen, 1967; Hersen, 1971; Levin, 1994; Levin & Hurvich, 1995; Miller & DiPilato, 1983

10 Nightmares And What They Are Trying To Tell You

— Share —

— About the Author —

Responses

  1. Dylan Amaral Avatar
    Dylan Amaral

    I had a wierd Dream about a guy in a scuba suit trying to kill me in my own home and it kept reoccuring

Leave a Reply



Up Next

Meaningful Coincidences: The Science Of Synchronicity and Its Mysterious Impact on Your Life

The Science of Synchronicity And Meaningful Coincidences

Have you ever experienced a series of events that seemed too remarkable to be mere chance? Moments when the universe seemed to align, and the boundaries between the inner and outer world blurred? These instances, known as synchronicity, are captivating meaningful coincidences that leave us in awe of the mysteries that surround our lives. 

Let us embark on an exploration of meaningful coincidences, unravel the science of synchronicity, and understand the profound role of synchronicity in your life.

What is Synchronicity?

Synchronicity refers to the simultaneous occurrence of events that hold a significant meaning to the individual experiencing them but have no apparent causal connection. 



Up Next

The Psychology Of Luck: How Beliefs, Behaviors, And Attitudes Influence Our Perceptions Of Fortune and Misfortune

The Psychology Of Luck: Tips To Make Your Own Luck

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have all the luck, while others struggle with misfortune? Is luck a matter of chance, or is there more to it than meets the eye? Letโ€™s explore the psychology of luck.

Today, we will delve into the fascinating world of luck, explore the psychology behind this concept, and how beliefs shape our fortune and misfortune. Whether you consider yourself lucky or unlucky, understanding the underlying psychological mechanisms can empower you to make your own luck and enhance your overall well-being.

What is Luck? Defining the Experience of Improbable Events

Before we delve into the psychology of luck, let’s start by defining what lu



Up Next

Do Healing Stones Actually Work? Unveiling The Science And Claims Behind Crystal Energy

Cracking the Mystery: Do Healing Stones Actually Work?

Is it true that those well-fashioned gemstones and crystals have the power to heal? For ages, different cultures have been using healing stones as a way of attaining physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. But do healing stones actually work?

Critics may dismiss these as pseudoscience, but there are millions of people who swear by their ability to change lives. Let us delve into the world of healing stones to find out healing stones meaning, how to use healing stones for mental health issues and the different types of healing stones. 

So letโ€™s discover whether gemstones and healing crystals actually help people or not.

Healing Stones Meaning

Healing stones re



Up Next

The Spiritual Meaning Of Drowning In Dreams: 12 Hidden Messages

The Spiritual Meaning Of Drowning In Dreams: Insights

Ever dreamed about drowning in a lake or the ocean? Such dreams can often be vivid yet disturbing and nightmarish leaving us feeling scared, anxious, confused and breathless upon awakening. But what do these dreams actually mean? Letโ€™s take a look at the spiritual meaning of drowning in dreams. 

It is believed that dreams are a window to our subconscious mind and often carry deep spiritual meanings. That is why, understanding the hidden clues and messages in our dreams can help us navigate different challenges and situations in our real life. 

So let us dive deep (pun intended) and explore not just the spiritual meaning of drowning in dreams, but also what does drowning in



Up Next

Raven Spiritual Symbolism Revealed : Why Ravens Are More Than Just Birds

Raven Spiritual Symbolism: Unlocking the Hidden Secrets

Have you ever wondered about the enigmatic presence of ravens and their spiritual symbolism? These captivating creatures have fascinated humanity for centuries, often associated with mysticism, magic, and foreboding. Letโ€™s explore raven spiritual symbolism, decipher their significance in dreams, and the profound impact of encountering these intelligent birds. 

Join us on this journey as we unravel the mystical world of raven spiritual symbolism.



Up Next

Bridging Science And Spirituality: What Is Transpersonal Psychology?

What Is Transpersonal Psychology? Pathways To Self-Growth

Have you ever wondered about the vast potential of the human mind and the mysteries of consciousness? Are you curious about the deeper aspects of the self and the profound connection between individuals and the world around them? If so, then it is time to explore what is transpersonal psychology as it might hold the answers you seek. 

So, fasten your seatbelts as we delve into the depths of the human psyche and embark on an extraordinary voyage of self-discovery and growth as we embark on a fascinating journey into the realm of transpersonal psychology

What is Transpersonal Psychology?

Transpersonal



Up Next

Is The Law Of Vibration Real? Separating Fact From Fiction

Is The Law Of Vibration Real and Practical Ways To Use It

Have you ever wondered about the invisible forces that shape our reality? The Law of Vibration is a captivating concept that delves into the profound connection between energy and the world we perceive. But what is the secret law of vibration and is the law of vibration real? Letโ€™s find out and learn how to use the law of vibration.

What is The Law of Vibration?

The law of vibration explained: At its essence, the Law of Vibration posits that everything in the universe, from the tiniest subatomic particles to the vast celestial bodies, vibrates at a specific frequency. 

According to this principle, similar frequencies attract each other, and by aligning our own vibrational fre