STOP nightmares
Empowering individuals to overcome life's nightmare challenges.
Nightmare Counseling
What is a Nightmare?
A nightmare is a disturbing dream associated with negative feelings, such as anxiety or fear that awakens you. Nightmares are common in children but can happen at any age. Occasional nightmares usually are nothing to worry about.
Nightmare disorder is when nightmares happen often, cause distress, disrupt sleep, cause problems with daytime functioning or create fear of going to sleep. (Types of nightmares--click here).
See below on this page to start with solutions.
Common Themes for Nightmares
Unwanted Creatures or Monsters: Dreams featuring monsters, supernatural beings, or strange creatures often symbolize inner fears or unresolved psychological issues.
Death or Dying: Nightmares involving death, either one’s own or that of a loved one, can be distressing and may represent fear of mortality or loss.
Missing a Transportation Mode: Nightmares about missing a train, bus, or flight can relate to concerns about missing opportunities or feeling left behind.
Falling: Dreams of falling from great heights or losing balance often symbolize a lack of control or fear of failure in waking life.
Being Chased: Nightmares of being pursued by someone or something typically represent feelings of anxiety, stress, or running away from a problem.
Being Trapped: Dreams of being confined in a small space or unable to escape a situation can reflect feelings of being stuck or powerless in real life.
Natural Disasters: Nightmares involving earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, or other natural disasters may symbolize overwhelming stress or a fear of unpredictable events.
Injury or Illness: Dreams about being hurt or becoming seriously ill can reflect concerns about physical health or vulnerabilities.
Losing Teeth: A common theme where teeth fall out or crumble, often interpreted as anxiety about appearance, aging, or communication issues.
Test or Performance Anxiety: Nightmares about failing a test, performing poorly, or being unprepared can relate to fear of judgment, inadequacy, or high expectations.
Being Late: Dreams of being late for an important event can signify feelings of being overwhelmed or unprepared in waking life.
Infidelity or Betrayal: Nightmares involving a partner’s unfaithfulness can reflect insecurities, trust issues, or fears of abandonment.
Loss of a Loved One: Dreams about losing someone close can symbolize fears of separation, loneliness, or unresolved grief.
Paralysis: Dreams where one is unable to move or speak can relate to feelings of helplessness, vulnerability, or being stuck in a situation.
Naked in Public: Dreams of being exposed in public often symbolize feelings of shame, vulnerability, or fear of being judged.
Dying: Click here for more information about dying in your dreams and nightmares.
Common PTSD-Related Themes
Re-experiencing Trauma: Nightmares that directly replay traumatic events, making the dreamer relive their trauma.
Threat of Harm: Dreams where the individual feels they are in imminent danger, often mirroring real-life threats experienced during the traumatic event.
Survivor's Guilt: Nightmares where the individual feels responsible for not preventing a traumatic event or for surviving when others did not.
Helplessness: Dreams where the individual is unable to move or act, reflecting feelings of powerlessness experienced during the trauma.
Intrusive Thoughts: Nightmares filled with vivid and distressing images related to the traumatic event, causing intense fear and anxiety.
Hyperarousal: Dreams that mirror the heightened state of alertness experienced by those with PTSD, often involving scenarios where the individual must constantly be on guard.
Isolation: Dreams where the individual is completely alone, reflecting the sense of isolation and detachment from others often felt by those with PTSD.
When to seek help
Nightmares MAY BE considered a disorder if you experience:
- Frequent occurrences that persist over time
- Major distress or impairment during the day, such as anxiety or persistent fear, or bedtime anxiety about having another nightmare
- Problems with concentration or memory, or you can't stop thinking about images from your dreams
- Daytime sleepiness, fatigue or low energy
- Problems functioning at work or school or in social situations
- Behavior problems related to bedtime or fear of the dark
- Routine sleep disruptions
- A fear of going to sleep
For a quick start, begin by jotting down your nightmares and practice reimagining them with positive outcomes. If you are looking to delve deeper, this site offers comprehensive guidance to help you become adept at managing and alleviating nightmares. -- Kevin Grold, Ph.D.