Dreams

[Tremors]

Hello, umm this is my first time posting here and I'm not exactly sure if it's the right place, but I hope it is.

Anyway, I usually don't remember my dreams, I don't even know if I do dream when I sleep at night. The only time I ever remember my dreams are when I'm worried, stressed, depressed, basically any type of long-lasting negative feeling, I suppose.

If one day I'm feeling very worried about something and I go to sleep that night, I'll have a bad dream.

Last night I had a dream I was strapped to a table and someone was about to kill me, and I remember looking at the person as they lured over me, and I remember they were going to decapitate me, but at the last minute they decided they wanted to kill me slowly. I don't remember the rest.

Another time I was running from someone and they finally caught up to me, and they shot me. I remember in my dream I was dead, but it was like I was still alive and thinking, but I just knew I had died.

Those are just two.. I have tons more, I just said those two so you guys can get a feel for what I'm dreaming.

It also should be noted that the dreams are always violent, whether I'm hurting someone, they're hurting me, ect. I can't remember the last dream I had that wasn't violent or somehow very stressful to me.

I don't know why I'm having these dreams. I feel like maybe it's just anxiety, but I've never heard of anyone having dreams like me. It makes me worry, like, what if my dreams are about things I actually want to do to someone? I don't want to hurt anyone, but why do I keep dreaming these things?

Please help.

[angie3716]

I have dreams like you describe also. I have been diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and I have nightmares and other stressful dreams (dreams where I am in a high stress situation or setting) almost every night. I have talked to my doctor about them and he calls them "anxiety dreams." He explained that when you are in a heightened state of stress, anxiety, tension, etc. these feelings will express themselves in your dreams disturbing your sleep. Bad dreams are just a subconscious manifestation of the stress and tension you feel during your waking hours. You said that you have these dreams "when I'm worried, stressed, depressed, basically any type of long-lasting negative feeling." It sounds like you’re having "anxiety dreams". While they can be disturbing and they can interfere with your sleep, they are not uncommon.

"It makes me worry, like, what if my dreams are about things I actually want to do to someone?".... Dreams do not foreshadow the future and they are not expressions of secret desires, so you don't need to worry about anything like that.  

I have tried lots of things to get better sleep and rid myself of these dreams. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't (depends how anxious I am and what’s going on in my life). If you want you can try some of the things listed below to help with the dreams. I know some of them sound kind of silly or "new-agey" but hey, if it works it works. They are all things you can do privately, so nobody need know if you’re embarrassed.

1. YOGA. This is my #1 choice. The slow repetitive motion, stretching and slow breathing all help calm you and make you feel peaceful. It's great to do before bed for a good night sleep. When you do it try to concentrate on your breathing and the stretch in your mussels. Try to clear your mind of any other thoughts and let everything else go. If you buy a yoga video stay away from the "power yoga" and "yoga for strength training" videos. Go with one that is less vigorous if your using it to help you relax before bed.

2. Take a hot bath. Even if you only soak for 15 or 20 minutes the hot water helps you relax physically. Try to just focus on enjoying the warm water and clear your mind of everything else, this will help you relax mentally as well. Sometimes it's easier to clear your mind if you play some relaxing music or read. This gives your mind something else to get absorbed in besides your worries.

3. Practice active relaxation techniques. There are three major types of relaxation techniques:

Autogenic training. Utilizes visual imaging and bodily awareness to advance the patient into a state of deep relaxation. The patient imagines a tranquil location, then begins focusing physical sensations that gradually move upward from the feet toward the head.

Progressive muscle relaxation. Involves the slow tensing up and then releasing of each muscle group individually, beginning with the muscles in the toes and finishing with the head.

Meditation. Uses either Transcendental Meditation involving the repetition of a mantra, mindfulness meditation in which patients focus their attention on their momentary thoughts and sensations.


There is a ton of info out there about all three types of relaxation techniques. Just do an internet search on any of the above or just type in "active relaxation techniques."


Try to avoid doing anything or talking to anyone that represents a source of stress, anxiety or tension for you right before bed.

I hope this helps and don't worry your not alone. If things get worse, consider talking to someone who you trust (parent, other adult you trust, guidance counselor or a doctor).

[Tremors]

Okay, I'll try out that stuff. Thanks a lot for the help. :)