Whether you remember them or not, everybody dreams. Some may be blissful and hazy, but lots of us dream of fearful events. Our dreams can turn into anxiety dreams when we encounter stressful scenarios.
Anxiety sufferers may find stressful feelings exist in their dreams as well as in real life. When a person is worried about something, that worry can appear as a different story in their dreams. Joshua Klapow, Ph.D. & Clinical Psychologist told Bustle: “Whether or not it’s reflecting an actual event, the dream is representing a real emotion.”
Dreams can help pinpoint anxiety felt in our daily lives. If you’re wondering if that weird dream on your mind could mean something more, here are four common anxiety dreams and what they mean.
Teeth Falling Out
From teeth rotting away, to falling out while having sex, teeth dreams can represent a number of things. Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, professional dream analyst thinks teeth dreams are related to communication. “Any dream having to do with the mouth — the lips, the tongue, the teeth, the throat — is going to be about what you’ve been saying & how you’ve been saying it.”
However, others think differently. Habash told Bustle; “When we dream of our teeth falling out, it’s another manifestation of worry or fear – usually based in the loss of control.” Dreams of teeth falling can also represent anxiety over rejection, based on how we look to others. Others think that they indicate poor health & lifestyle choices.
Teeth dreams seem to represent lots of different anxiety factors, but sufferers should know that they are not alone. This is a very common dream! Dreams of teeth falling out are not inherently harmful. However, if you think that your teeth dreams could be connected to your mental condition, do talk to your doctor or a professional.
Falling
Ever woken up from a dream where you have been falling? These dreams may indicate fears over losing control. Falling, (literally starting from a higher point and coming to the bottom) is related to subconscious fears of getting fired, losing social status, or general helplessness. Michael R. Olsen, dream expert and researcher says falling may also represent the fear of not living up to expectations, carried since childhood.. “One can dream that one falls from mental/social constructs that one has ‘built up’.”
Falling dreams can cause you to wake up in a panic. When waking up, your heart can pound wildly and legs may shake. The physical symptoms can be unpleasant, especially if encountered regularly. See if you feel like you’re falling behind in any aspect of your life. Expectations at work, school or relationships could all play a part in these dreams.
Cheating & Infidelity
Dreams of your partner cheating are some of the most unsettling dreams to have. You might feel angry towards them after waking up. If your partner has cheated on you before, then this represents trust issues in your relationship. However, infidelity dreams do not mean that there is cheating going on. They show that you are feeling neglected in your relationship. Loewenberg says “It could be a job, friends, a new baby…something is causing you to feel cheated out of that time and attention.”
On the other hand, dreams of you cheating are just as disturbing. These reveal guilt over not paying enough attention to your partner. Subconsciously, you know that you should be putting in more effort towards them. It’s important to note – cheating dreams do not mean that you or your partner have been unfaithful. However, they may point to issues within your relationship. Loewenberg advises; “If you communicate and are willing to compromise, chances are the dreams will stop.”
Running Late
Whether it’s rushing to get to work or missing a flight, you may wake up panicked, questioning whether you are actually late. Running late can represent the pressure of living up to expectations. Michael R Olsen says “When we dream that we are late, it is often because we are fighting a battle to achieve more than we can actually handle.” Stress over high performance situations, like exams & interviews, can manifest as tardiness in dreams.
Dreams where you are afraid to be late can represent self-inflicted pressure. These point to deep fears of not reaching your goals. Loewenberg gives examples like fitness goals, or reaching a level in your career by a certain date. These dreams can be positive, acting as wake up calls for specific aims. If these dreams make you feel stressed, it may be a sign that you are being too hard on yourself. Give yourself time to achieve your dreams!
