Nightmares are usually related to basic childhood fears and recollection of earlier moments in our lives and past experiences where we are placed in a helpless situation. Usually common in children between ages 3 to 6, nightmares often occur again later in life, during adulthood, when a person feels insecure over a certain situation which connects him to his earlier fears and feelings of inadequacy.
Events in a person’s life such as death of a family member, break-up, divorce, loss of a job, or even sickness can trigger nightmares. However, people who have prolonged and frequent periods of nightmares throughout their lives are vulnerable to mental instabilities or mental conditions like schizophrenia. On the other hand, many of these people also possess artistic and creative characteristics.
Oftentimes, people who always experience nightmares usually dream of the same thing or scenario and often on the same place. If not, even if their dreams may vary, they often center on common themes like being chased, watching a person go, or even nudity. It would be difficult to be specific as to what this symbolizes as every ‘theme’ or scenario or situation could be perceived differently by every individual.
But common nightmares are of being chased by someone or something. Generally, such dream relates to childhood fears of something larger in size, or if not, something more superior. Probably the parents, a big scary monument, or anything that used to make one feel helpless when he was young. Dreams about failing exams are as common. But oddly, people who report such dreams are those who are academically successful. The general explanation for such is mostly an expression of fear of failing a present challenging task. Nudity in nightmares could either be an expression of one’s pre-occupation of sex or a fear of being exposed.
But nightmares could be avoided. The best way to do that is assessing yourself – – – your feeling of self-worth, inadequacy, success, achievements, failures, unresolved conflicts – – – and figure out what is making you feel helpless. Though not easy to do, you can work out to change the things you feel that needs to be changed. Occasionally, it helps to think about pleasant thoughts before going to sleep to condition your mind in a nice and relaxed state.
Written by patnoy1
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