Your Nightmares Explained： Scientists Reveal How Bad Dreams Reflect Our Daily Frustrations

Many of us have had recurring and disturbing nightmares that are difficult to comprehend. Now， research has discovered these dreams are a reflection of our daily struggles. In particular， feeling of lack independence， incompetence or being misunderstood can trigger nightmares， scientists claim.

These feelings suggest that a person’s “basic psychological needs” are not being met， and nightmares occur when we haven’t processed these emotions properly.

A number of recurring themes seem to crop up during disturbing dreams. These may include being trapped， chased or attacked， or failing at an important task.

Previous research has identified what some of these dreams might mean. For instance， people who are frustrated with their daily lives tend to have recurring dreams in which they were falling， failing or being attacked. Those who feel under pressure in real life are more likely to experience a dream in which they are unprepared for something important like an exam.

Falling from a height

In their latest study on nightmares， Cardiff University found a recurring dream about falling from a height could mean someone feels frustrated in their daily lives.

“We found that people whose recurring dreams were felt to have more negative emotions in them also felt more incompetent， isolated， or pressured by others in their daily life，” Dr Netta Weinstein told MailOnline.

Dr Weinstein said that finding help for challenges in life could help to alleviate recurring dreams.

Failing

Dr Weinstein said that recurring dreams in which people experience failure were also common among those who frequently felt frustrated.

Research has previously shown that those who feel under pressure in real life are more likely to experience a dream in which they are unprepared for something important like an exam or a meeting.

“I used to be a teacher， so my typical stress dream was about the whole classroom getting out of control. I would be feeling powerless or helpless to manage a situation，” Margaret Bowater， president of the Dream Network Aotearoa New Zealand， told Stuff.

She said the dream is a metaphor for falling short， possibly falling out of favour， or maybe not living up to the expectations of yourself or others.

Feeling trapped

Those who feel trapped in their dreams likely feel trapped in real life， Ms Bowater told Stuff.

“A dream is trying to show， or repeat， something back to you，” she said. “It’s usually using concrete imagery for something that is not necessarily a concrete thing to say.”

Being chased or attacked

Dr Weinstein said frequently being attacked in your dreams may show you are frustrated in your day to day activities.

According to UK dream expert Ian Wallace， being chased or attacked is the most common dream from all around the world， regardless of country， creed or culture.

Being chased by an animal indicates there is an instinctive impulse that you are finding hard to contain in waking life.

When a monster is pursuing you， it reflects that you have a raw and powerful talent but are finding it challenging to evolve and refine it.

If a man， woman or a gang is chasing you， then you have the opportunity to assert a particular talent but may be running away from some of the responsibilities involved in displaying your abilities.

Dreams with negative emotions

In Dr Weinstein’s new study， she found that people who are frustrated with their lives have dreams with more negative themes that made them frightened， angry or sad.

When asked to interpret their own dreams， they tended to do so using more negative words. Participants whose psychological needs were met were more likely to describe their dreams positively.

许多人都曾有过反复出现的难以解释的可怕恶梦。现在，研究发现，这些恶梦其实是我们日常困境的折射。科学家声称，缺乏自主性、无能或被误解的感觉都可能引发恶梦。

这些感觉意味着一个人的“基本心理需求”没有被满足，当我们没能适当地消化这些情感时，就产生了恶梦。

这些令人不安的梦中，似乎有好几个反复出现的主题，包括被困住、被追赶、被攻击，或者搞砸了一项重要的任务。

先前的研究已经确定其中一些恶梦的暗示意义。比如，对日常生活感到沮丧的人通常会反复做坠落、失败或被攻击的恶梦。那些在真实生活中感受到压力的人更可能会梦见在考试等重要事情前没做好准备。

梦见从高处坠落

卡迪夫大学在对恶梦的最新研究中发现，总是做从高处坠落的梦意味着做梦者在日常生活中有挫败感。

涅塔·温斯坦博士告诉《每日邮报》网站说：“我们发现总是反复做带有负面情绪恶梦的人，在日常生活中也会感到更无能、被孤立，或者遭受来自他人的压力。”

温斯坦博士说，在应对生活中的挑战时寻求支援，有助于减少这种恶梦反复发生。

梦见失败

温斯坦博士说，反复梦见失败的人一般都是那些经常有挫败感的人。

先前的研究显示，那些在真实生活中感受到压力的人更可能会梦见在考试或会议等重要事情前没做好准备。

新西兰奥特亚罗瓦梦之网总裁玛格丽特·波瓦特告诉《Stuff》杂志说：“我曾当过老师，所以我典型的压力梦就是整个教室失去控制。我感觉无力控制局面，或感到无助。”

她说，这种梦暗示着你没能达标，可能是失宠，也可能是没能达到自己或他人的期望值。

梦见被困住

波瓦特告诉《Stuff》杂志说，那些在梦中感觉被困住的人很可能在真实生活中也有这种受困的感觉。

她说：“你的梦试图向你展示或重复某些发生在你身上的事情。梦通常用具体的意象来反映抽象的感觉。”

梦见被追赶或被攻击

温斯坦博士说，经常梦见被攻击说明你在日常活动中有挫败感。

英国解梦专家伊恩·华莱士说，梦见被追赶或被攻击是全世界最常见的梦，无论是哪个国家、信仰或文化。

梦见被动物追赶说明你在清醒的生活中感到难以抑制的本能的冲动。

如果梦见一个妖怪在追赶你，反映出你有强大的天分但是难以发扬和完善。

如果梦见一个男人、女人或一伙人在追赶你，这暗示着你有机会表现某种独特的才能，但可能会因此而逃离某些与之相关的责任。

带有负面情绪的梦

在温斯坦博士的新研究中，她发现对自己的生活感到沮丧的人会做更多负面主题的梦，这些梦会让他们感到惊恐、生气或悲伤。

当被要求解释自己的梦境时，他们一般会选用更消极的字眼。而心理需求得到满足的人更可能积极地描述自己的梦境。