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9/27/09 12:30 A

I very seldom remember my dreams anymore but when I have the same old recurring ones from the past, I know there is something my conscious mind isn't dealing with well.

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9/26/09 11:34 P

BettyJo2U, it's true! I dream every night and usually remember my dreams, so it's really obvious when the same patterns are cropping up -- pretty clear that my brain is trying to work something out, or just acting out fears and anxiety.

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9/26/09 1:44 P

Years ago I used to have 2-3 recurring dreams whenever I was stressed. I never was able to tie them to a particular event or problem but realized that was my brain's way of trying to figure out or release the tension that was building. The last year a couple of times when I was going through some particular difficult times emotionally those exact same dreams returned. Strange how our brains try to protect us and work out the emotions while we sleep.

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9/25/09 12:08 P

for you!

I don't dream alot, but I do not enjoy anxiety induced dreams. I'm sorry that you are experiencing them, but am glad you are recognizing them for what they are. I can only imagine how scary and bothersome your dreams have been.

The only reoccuring dream that I had had off and on is I dream I am free falling without a parachute. I usually wake up in a sweat, realize it was only a dream. maybe go get a hot cup of tea to relax and go back to bed.

Some days when my axniety is hight I journal to kind of empty my brain of my thoughts. This might be helpful in clearning the mind for a better night's sleep.

I hope you get a good night's rest tonight.
Cynthia

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9/25/09 11:27 A

Does anyone else have recurring dreams/nightmares that happen when your anxiety spikes?

For me, they are often the first signal that anxiety is spiking up. I may not consciously notice it during the day, but those recurring dreams can only mean one thing.

Last night I had a bunch. I'm not even sure why; nothing majorly anxiety-producing was going on. I realized I forgot to take my meds yesterday; maybe that is why. Usually if I forget for one day, nothing really happens, but for some reason last night was different.

My biggest recurring nightmare is being unable to close or lock my doors and windows when I know someone is trying to break into my house. The door or window will be broken, just hanging open, and there's nothing I can do. (I've never had a break-in happen in real life.) I thought about this dream and actually realized that it's a sort of metaphor. It happens when I'm feeling insecure, and it's literally about being unable to secure things.

Last night I dreamed about doing things wrong all the time and being yelled at by authority figures for what I'd thought were minor mistakes.

I also dreamed about someone shooting at me with a machine gun, which was very scary.

I've actually made some peace with these nightmares because I know they're a signal of what's going on, rather than just random. I wake up and think "Oh, another anxiety dream" rather than dwelling on the nightmare itself and how scary it was. It lets me know when I need to deal with my anxiety.

Anyone else have this happen? What are your anxiety dreams, if you want to share? How do you deal with it? Have you ever been able to lucid-dream, realize it's a dream and take control?