Have you ever had a particular dream on more than
one occasion; re-experiencing it over weeks, months
or years?

These are called recurrent dreams; and if you have
had them, you are not alone.

In studies, the majority of adults surveyed have
reported the experience of recurrent dreams at
some time in their lives.

Such dreams are likely to be negative in tone;
involving conflict, chase and attack.

So what do recurrent dreams signify?
What may they have to say about the dreamer?

The general consensus is that the recurrent dream
reflects the surfacing of an unacknowledged, un-
resolved issue; one that has long been a source
of distress.

The notion is that as one is sleeping, psychological
defenses are lowered; permitting the emergence of
concerns that had been pushed to the unconscious.

Writers have identified such things as loss, abuse
or past trauma as factors that underlie and are
manifested in a recurrent dream.

Some researchers suggest that these dreams may
represent the brain's attempt to test or rehearse
possible coping strategies.

Finally, many writers conclude that the occurrence
of recurrent dreams signals the need to identify,
acknowledge and address some longstanding,
painful issue.

They contend that addressing the issue can result
in decreased frequency of the recurrent dream, and
possibly, its elimination.



More on Recurrent Dreams 1, 2, 3