Scary dreams!
Nightmares and frightening dreams
Many of us have had nightmares or other scary dreams. It’s our unconscious’ way of getting our attention about an issue, and it wants to make sure we listen! Here are some ways to work with these dreams that are so frightening.
1. Many times all the characters in the dream are all aspects of ourselves, so whatever is frightening in the dream, could it be rage you are feeling and not addressing? A part of you that is no longer needed (the “too nice self”, a workaholic, chip on your shoulder)? Something may need to “die” symbolically, not literally and it is frightening to have any aspect of ourselves not be needed.
2. Do not be afraid of the “monster”, disaster, whatever that is frightening. In your mind or on paper ask that part of the dream what message/understanding it wants to tell you, and listen. If you can do this during the dream, great! Most of us can’t, including myself!
3. Write the dream down, but come back to it later because usually the emotions are too tense to work with the dream right away- we need some space from it so that it will not appear as frightening with some time.
4. Knowing that the characters in the dream are aspects of your personality will help take the emotional charge out of the situation. With chase/pursuit/killing dreams there is a fear that you need to face. What are you afraid of?
Looking at your dreams is a wonderful way to get in touch with what is going on inside of you! Scary dreams can be a gift, because of the emotions, they are sure to get our attention!
Devona L Marshall MS LPC NCC received training at the Carl Jung Institute in Chicago on dreams. She is a psychotherapist in private practice in West Bend WI. She can be reached at www.kettlemorainecounseling.com
Many of us have had nightmares or other scary dreams. It’s our unconscious’ way of getting our attention about an issue, and it wants to make sure we listen! Here are some ways to work with these dreams that are so frightening.
1. Many times all the characters in the dream are all aspects of ourselves, so whatever is frightening in the dream, could it be rage you are feeling and not addressing? A part of you that is no longer needed (the “too nice self”, a workaholic, chip on your shoulder)? Something may need to “die” symbolically, not literally and it is frightening to have any aspect of ourselves not be needed.
2. Do not be afraid of the “monster”, disaster, whatever that is frightening. In your mind or on paper ask that part of the dream what message/understanding it wants to tell you, and listen. If you can do this during the dream, great! Most of us can’t, including myself!
3. Write the dream down, but come back to it later because usually the emotions are too tense to work with the dream right away- we need some space from it so that it will not appear as frightening with some time.
4. Knowing that the characters in the dream are aspects of your personality will help take the emotional charge out of the situation. With chase/pursuit/killing dreams there is a fear that you need to face. What are you afraid of?
Looking at your dreams is a wonderful way to get in touch with what is going on inside of you! Scary dreams can be a gift, because of the emotions, they are sure to get our attention!
Devona L Marshall MS LPC NCC received training at the Carl Jung Institute in Chicago on dreams. She is a psychotherapist in private practice in West Bend WI. She can be reached at www.kettlemorainecounseling.com
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