What do repeated nightmares mean

Unpleasant or traumatic events from the past often remain in your memory. These traumatic events can include:. Dreams of drowning, for example, might reflect an overwhelming sense of helplessness, while a dream of being trapped or running in slow motion might suggest you still feel unable to escape.

Until you make your choice and come to terms with it, you might experience recurring dreams of being lost, failing a test, or otherwise making a mistake.

Have you had any recent dreams about wearing masks or people without mouths? Maybe you keep dreaming about being stranded alone somewhere or of giant insects. These themes may show up clearly masks and isolation or more symbolically bugs, which your brain might translate to virus , according to dream researcher Deirdre Barrett, PhD, in an interview with The Harvard Gazette. But you may not be able to ease that fear and tension when you sleep until you take steps to manage it during the day.

Changing the way you respond, however, can help reduce any associated frustration and lead to improvements in your mood, your outlook, and your dreams. Barrett also offers lucid dreaming as a potential strategy for managing unwanted recurring dreams in a interview with Popular Science. In a lucid dream, you recognize your dream as just that.

Some people use this awareness to control the dream and alter its course. Interested in lucid dreaming? Try these tips. Taking the time to explore these challenges, with the help of a professional, can improve your sleep quality and mental health.

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. Lucid dreaming is something that we can become better at with certain techniques.

It involves being aware that you're dreaming while still asleep…. These are…. Or maybe your nightmare involves a loved one getting into an accident, and you experience it every time you fall asleep. Whatever type of recurring nightmare you might have, waking up terrified is an awful feeling. Fortunately, understanding your recurring nightmares could be the first step in addressing them. While dreams have long fascinated people, little is still known about why we dream.

Even less is known about nightmares. While some researchers think nightmares may stem from chemical imbalances in the brain, others believe they stem from deep-rooted issues or traumatic experiences. And still, some believe nightmares are simply a sign of vivid imagination. So why would someone have a recurring nightmare? There are a few potential reasons. Some researchers believe that recurrent nightmares stem from unmet psychological needs, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

These unmet needs can lead to recurring dreams, and in some cases recurring nightmares as an effort at processing and integrating these experiences. Medication, drugs, and alcohol may interfere with brain chemicals and increase the likelihood of nightmares. Studies have found that sedatives, beta-blockers, and amphetamines are especially likely to cause nightmares. In some cases, withdrawing from substances can also lead to recurring nightmares.

Nightmares are one of the most common symptoms of PTSD. They often involve re-experiencing the same trauma that was endured in real life although they may also seem unrelated to a specific real-life trauma as well. Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that is characterized by self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships. In order to meet the criteria for a diagnosis, the symptoms cannot be explained by a mood-altering substance.

While nightmares can be about anything, researchers have found that there are some common themes to nightmares. A study examined common nightmares in children. After analyzing more than 10, dreams, researchers found most nightmares involved physical aggression of some kind.

Health issues, death, and threats were also common. The researchers noted that fear is not always part of nightmares. Sadness, confusion, guilt, and disgust were often present. So what? Nightmares may interfere with your romantic relationships. It can be difficult to share a bed with someone if you know you might wake up in a cold sweat screaming.

You might also be tired at work because you woke up several times the night before from nightmares. Consequently, your productivity could be affected. These are just a few difficulties you might experience as a result of recurrent nightmares. Your doctor may want to conduct a complete physical to rule out any potential medical reasons for the nightmares. Your physician may also recommend referral to a therapist who can assist in improving your sleep, address any underlying mental health issues, and reduce your nightmares.

Please try again later. Check here if you would like to receive subscription offers and other promotions via email from TIME group companies. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Thank you! For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.

Related Stories. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. Need help?