What A Nightmare!

Why do we have nightmares and what do they mean?

11:14 11 September 2015

Nightmares, which are usually defined by psychologists as a “tarrying dreams” are very common in children, who typically outgrow them. However, if adults experience them more frequently that the general population, the possible causes are anxiety and the consumption of certain medications.

 

Nightmares fall into two categories; they are either “garden-variety” or post-traumatic nightmares. The former has a fantastic narrative and the terrifying threat is often one seen only in film or fiction. The latter, on the other hand, takes place when a person suffered a horrific event in which case, the nightmares occur re-enacting that event.

 

While nightmares can be often confusing, psychologists say that they can be interpreted. You can do so by following these steps:

 

1.     Identify the main element in the dream and determine how it is associated to you.

 

2.     Remember about how you felt in the dream. “What in my waking life gives me that feeling in the pit of my stomach I had when the witch was chasing me down the hall?”

 

3.     Ask this question if you experience recurring nightmares: “Which nights do I have nightmares and is there anything I can identify that's been different in my day?”

 

4.     Put those associations together and make an assessment.