Why Do We Get Nightmares?

[ferlew]

Approx 5 days out of 7 I get them.
They are so realistic.
Many relate to my working life, which was happy, and 15 years in the past.
Some are car/driving related. I have never had an accident.
I can recall them all in general, some I can even get back into.
Any ideas please anyone?

[pixie373]

A mixture of memories, thoughts, feelings and imagination, i think. I wish we could record them!

[ferlew]

I have been doing just that Pixie, writing them up next morning.

[Baby_Sham]

I've had really horrible, intrusive thoughts and dreams recently too :-(
Would you class yourself as stressed/depressed? Are you on any medication?

[flump1]

Subconcious mind sorting out what it needs and what it doesn't ?

[ferlew]

Mine are so realistic, I often get out of bed to check.

[ferlew]

I have my fair share of worry Baby Sham, but not enough to cause some 15 years of nightmares.

[grasscarp]

It is the brain sorting out all the information of the day and things that are troubling you. Like you I decide if I want to go back into a dream or not when I wake during night. Had a complete adventure play itself out in my head last night. Included sliding down a body sized lattice shoot down a steep incline!

[Baby_Sham]

Are you eating much cheese before bedtime? :-D

Sorry, I know it's no laughing matter - just trying to make you laugh a bit :-)
Maybe speak to your GP, see if there's anything they can suggest..?

[grasscarp]

Shute not shoot! Everybody dreams every night but not everyone remembers them.

[Baby_Sham]

Lol Grasscarp. You've done it now....! :P

[ferlew]

I do wake up recalling the detail, I thought that by writing it down, I would see a pattern, not so far.

[Baby_Sham]

Ferlew, have a look at the 'related questions' below. Lots of questions there, and you may find an answer or some advice. x

[ferlew]

Ahh, ok, many thanks. :)

[jno]

my standard answer, always works for me: remove a blanket, you're too hot.

[ferlew]

I dont use blankets, year round I use a 4.5 tog quilt

[jno]

I don't use quilts/duvets, for this very reason. You may need to sleep in layers.

(Don't the quilts leave you either too hot in summer or too cool in winter? Or has your bedroom got a very steady temperature?)

[ferlew]

Will try it, many biggus :)

[jno]

good luck. They're no fun, and neither is disrupted sleep.

[ferlew]

Off to bed now, fingers crossed.