I was wondering if other people have had bad dreams relating to the issues they are struggling with in therapy.

After a very stressful week at work (also a week where I was *not* able to see my T), last night I had awful dreams where I was feeling terribly alone, disconnected and afraid in the dream. I kept having these dreams, waking up, then having them again, all night. It was really bad.

Feelings of separateness and longings to belong are two of the things I am dealing with in therapy. I've had these feelings since I was a child, but until recently I was not able to actually feel them. Instead, I would become very anxious and depressed. Now that I'm starting to actually feel them - even in my dreams - I am finding it hard to deal with. Is having these dreams - even when they are disturbing - a good sign and a part of healing?

I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks so much.
Russ

We've continued to struggle with dreams on and off for many years. Sometimes after a particularily stressful therapy session it comes up in our dreams. I believe that dreams are the minds way of dealing and healing with situations... of working things out. If sometimes helps us to write them out. Hope this helps.
Scott

Hi Russ,
I know when I was first starting to deal with memories of abuse (which I didn't remember consciously until my 30s when I was a few years into therapy for other family issues) dreams played a big part. I would often have a lot of dreams right before I recovered a memory and the symbols in the dreams would often point towards what I needed to know.
They can be really difficult to go through (what else is new?) but they're a good sign that you are willing to start dealing with your feelings. Take it as an indication that you are somehow feeling safe enough to let this stuff out. I would encourage you to talk about your dreams with your therapist. It doesn't happen as often now for me as it did then, but I do occasionally still bring up a dream in my sessions with my T.

AG

thanks for your feedback, AG. yes, the dreams can be disturbing because they're just so bizarre. or they can also just have a really awful feeling attached to them, and i'll wake up with that feeling. my therapist says that dreams are of our own making, but of course not the conscious "us."

thanks again!