A good night’s sleep can unravel in an instant with a nightmare. When you have dreams about being chased by a creature with the body of a massive spider… only to look up and see it has a face like a twisted, grotesque human mask!
Sorry – that’s probably overkill, but you see the point. Nightmares are essentially a type of dream that elicit intense feelings of fear, anxiety or distress. The difference between a nightmare and a bad dream is that nightmares cause you to wake up from sleep. Not such a bad thing, really.
Nightmares are so prevalent that up to 85% of adults report experiencing them occasionally, typically in the later cycles off Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Despite being so common, scientists aren’t absolutely sure why they occur, but do know that they can be caused by numerous variables, including stress, anxiety and past trauma.
There are three specific categories of nightmares, Recurring, Fever Dreams and Vivid Dreams.
The definition of Recurring nightmares is obvious. They are the types you have repeatedly over a long period of time. Because of their repetitive nature, they are commonly believed to represent unresolved conflict or repressed wishes.
Fever dreams are intense, intense nightmares that occur when you have a high body temperature. Though they are troubling at the time, they stop once the fever subsides.
Many people forget 95% of their dreams as soon as they wake up, but Vivid dreams and nightmares tend to have a more lasting impact. They are characterised by extreme emotion and if you see yourself participating in the dream, it can be particularly upsetting.
In addition to stress and anxiety, nightmares can also transpire from taking certain medications or supplements, such as antidepressants, beta blockers and sleep aids.
Meals or snacks consumed close to bedtime not only leads to weight gain, but late-night snacking can cause your brain to become more active leading to restless sleep and the reason for scary nightmares.
Many people – especially males – suffer from sleep apnoea. One of the most common nightmares is dreaming about a lack of oxygen, part of the stop/start breathing condition.
The most fascinating aspect of recurring dreams is their commonality. If you’ve had dreams about falling, your teeth falling out, failing an exam or being chased, then you’ve joined a very big club of nightmare sufferers.
Sorry – that’s probably overkill, but you see the point. Nightmares are essentially a type of dream that elicit intense feelings of fear, anxiety or distress. The difference between a nightmare and a bad dream is that nightmares cause you to wake up from sleep. Not such a bad thing, really.
Nightmares are so prevalent that up to 85% of adults report experiencing them occasionally, typically in the later cycles off Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Despite being so common, scientists aren’t absolutely sure why they occur, but do know that they can be caused by numerous variables, including stress, anxiety and past trauma.
There are three specific categories of nightmares, Recurring, Fever Dreams and Vivid Dreams.
The definition of Recurring nightmares is obvious. They are the types you have repeatedly over a long period of time. Because of their repetitive nature, they are commonly believed to represent unresolved conflict or repressed wishes.
Fever dreams are intense, intense nightmares that occur when you have a high body temperature. Though they are troubling at the time, they stop once the fever subsides.
Many people forget 95% of their dreams as soon as they wake up, but Vivid dreams and nightmares tend to have a more lasting impact. They are characterised by extreme emotion and if you see yourself participating in the dream, it can be particularly upsetting.
In addition to stress and anxiety, nightmares can also transpire from taking certain medications or supplements, such as antidepressants, beta blockers and sleep aids.
Meals or snacks consumed close to bedtime not only leads to weight gain, but late-night snacking can cause your brain to become more active leading to restless sleep and the reason for scary nightmares.
Many people – especially males – suffer from sleep apnoea. One of the most common nightmares is dreaming about a lack of oxygen, part of the stop/start breathing condition.
The most fascinating aspect of recurring dreams is their commonality. If you’ve had dreams about falling, your teeth falling out, failing an exam or being chased, then you’ve joined a very big club of nightmare sufferers.
The top four nightmares are:
1: Being Chased – it could be an 8-foot-tall rabbit or a shrouded figure, either way, it’s a pointer that you’re running away from something or someone in real life. It can also be a manifestation of repressed emotions, perhaps you’re repressing anger, jealousy or resentment.
2: Teeth falling out – Eek, this is too common for comfort. Perhaps you’re brushing your teeth and suddenly you see in the mirror your teeth falling out. It can mean a change involving some form of loss in your life, maybe it’s a breakup, loss of a job or even losing money.
3: Catching Fire – another very scary dream! Psychoanalyst Carl Jung believed that fire signified transformation, so at its simplest, dreaming of something catching fire usually means that a change could potentially cause problems in your life.
1: Being Chased – it could be an 8-foot-tall rabbit or a shrouded figure, either way, it’s a pointer that you’re running away from something or someone in real life. It can also be a manifestation of repressed emotions, perhaps you’re repressing anger, jealousy or resentment.
2: Teeth falling out – Eek, this is too common for comfort. Perhaps you’re brushing your teeth and suddenly you see in the mirror your teeth falling out. It can mean a change involving some form of loss in your life, maybe it’s a breakup, loss of a job or even losing money.
3: Catching Fire – another very scary dream! Psychoanalyst Carl Jung believed that fire signified transformation, so at its simplest, dreaming of something catching fire usually means that a change could potentially cause problems in your life.
4: Being Naked in Public – this is usually a sign that you’re feeling vulnerable and exposed. Was a secret revealed and you’re embarrassed or shameful about the information that came to light? It could also mean that you’ve been dishonest about something and are struggling to keep it hidden.
Other common nightmare themes are getting lost, getting shot, falling, drowning, being attacked and bug infestations.
Most of us can’t escape common nightmares, and despite their reputation or the scary definitions above, they’re not usually a sign of anything serious. Understanding what they mean can help you self-analyse and resolve any matters that are bothering you.
Our tip is to practice healthy sleep habits – perhaps look at your diet and consider your mattress and pillow. If your nightmare persist and you’re unable to get a good night’s sleep, consider seeking professional support.
Other common nightmare themes are getting lost, getting shot, falling, drowning, being attacked and bug infestations.
Most of us can’t escape common nightmares, and despite their reputation or the scary definitions above, they’re not usually a sign of anything serious. Understanding what they mean can help you self-analyse and resolve any matters that are bothering you.
Our tip is to practice healthy sleep habits – perhaps look at your diet and consider your mattress and pillow. If your nightmare persist and you’re unable to get a good night’s sleep, consider seeking professional support.
