Bad dreams for big people and little people too

What do bad dreams mean? Lately I’ve been having lots of really complicated, horrible dreams. Not scary or sad, just complicated crap. I seem to take everything that has happened in the day and create a long, complicated story that leaves me exhausted in the morning. Such a load of crap!! So involved, with such ridiculous plots. I know I am a little stressed and overextended at the moment, do you think it could be that? I have enough complications to deal with during the day! The last thing I need is to be sorting out complex issues in my sleep.

Then, and I sincerely hope totally unrelated, the kids seem to be having bad dreams too. I’ve noticed a steady increase in bad dreams for them. I’ve heard of night terrors, and this is not that. They don’t wake up screaming, they just call out in their sleep. Usually along the lines of “no Kate, that’s my toy” or “Adam, stop that”. They aren’t upset by it, and remember nothing in the morning, but every time one of them cries out, I jump out of bed. 

So between my dreams, their dreams and Marko’s snoring, I am not exactly what one would call ‘well rested’.

What’s the deal with the dreams? Anyone able to shed any light?

Comments

[Em]

I think people will probably tell you that you are sorting out your day issues at night but whatever. I do the same thing - DO things all night busy busy busy. I'll even wake up, walk across the room, sit up on the edge of the bed, lay back down and "sleep" again. I wake up exhausted too.

As far as the kids, it stinks that it wakes you up but if it isn't bothering them, I guess you should try not to let it bother you.

[kristylynne]

I think you have answered your own question by noting that you aren't well-rested. I find that when I'm overtired I am more prone to restless sleep and strange dreams. Not sure what you can do about that, except stop sleeping with the snoring Marko.

My hubs snores too. After several years of marriage I finally realized I didn't HAVE to lie there awake all night. Now I go to bed with him every night like always, and the minute he kicks in with the snoring I head to the guest room, where I sleep like a baby. He doesn't miss me, he's out cold anyway. Separate beds may sound strange to most people I'm sure, but it's the only way I can ever get enough rest.

[Cara]

I have had the same side effect being on antidepressants (I think you mentioned you were on them). I have dreams like that - not necessarily nightmares, but VERY involved dreams. I would wake up feeling like I'd been awake for an extra eight hours. It was worse on Paxil, and better on Lexapro. I still wake up every morning remembering my dreams. Feel free to email me if you want more info.

[Sue at eLuckypacket]

I have the same whenever I am feeling overwhelmed and overextended ;-)

[Sue at eLuckypacket]

And I have those "never get where I'm going" dreams too when I'm overextended. Horrible Muriel!

[Egg Donor (ret.)]

Oh - I get those never-get-where-I'm-going dreams that Sue mentioned! I thought it was just me! Most of them involve me driving in these insanely complicated superhighways trying to get to an exit that I can't find. I get off, drive around, turn around, go back, etc. So frustrating.

I agree that this happens because you're unrested and overworked. If it makes you feel any better, every single dream I've had during the last 10 years has taken place during or after the apocalypse. They aren't necessarily about it. The end of the world just happens to be going on at the same time.

Yep. Issues. I've got 'em.

[Jen]

I have bad dreams when I am stressed or over-tired. Last night I had one where I was checking the house I lived in more than 15 years ago for prowlers. And I kept finding doors unlocked that had just been locked, meaning that bad guys were in the house. My husband woke me up before I found anyone though.

[Heather G]

Most likely a side affect of the anti-depressants. I used to feel like I'd lived through 3 movies back to back and woke up exhausted from it all. This was one of the reasons I quit them.

I recognised they were the AD's because I remembered very vivid dreams (nightmares really, they were violent) when I reduced doses.

[Bongi]

i can't help wondering if the real issue is the kids' dreams. the fact that you perceive them to be having bad dreams (which may not even actually be the case) may be disturbing you enough that your mind is constructing bad dreams for you.

then again maybe i'm completely off the mark.

[sheilah]

Evan 'talks' in his sleep too. Usually it is nothing and lately it is less than it used to be (he never really screamed but he has yelled). I wake up and hear him and stay awake until he is still again.

[Dayna]

Are you on the computer or watching the television an hour before bed? I've heard that can increase restlessness, and that the best way to unwind is to dim the lights and curl up with something fairly mindless. It usually works for me.

[Bump]

I do know that temperature plays a large part in dreams.... overly warm will produce some bad'uns.

De-stress and turn down the heat. Buy everyone a new pillow ( just because) and hopefully you can get back on track! I know when I go through a string of sleeplesness the only thing that gets me back to normal is a night or two of sleep aids.

[Rebecca]

Have you started any new birth control pills lately? I'm heading in to my first IVF cycle for #2 so I'm in the birth control month. Ever since I started the pill I've been having one long dream each night. Usually crazy dreams that always feel frantic. I wake up every morning not feeling as refreshed as I should. If I didn't know there was an end to this pill I'd be calling the Dr. and asking for a change.

[Kathy B.]

MSG!

I know you don't cook from scratch, which leads me to believe you eat a lot of prepared food. Prepared food can be heavily laden with MSG; MSG causes weird dreams in many people -- rather long drawn-out, seemingly non-related strings of events that go in the oddest directions.

The fact that the kids are having odd dreams also is more indication that it might be MSG.

[Daisy]

When I have bad dreams that are complex, it usually means just what you're thinking: overdoing by day, mind still active by night. My solution is taking conscious time to decompress at night. A glass of wine is okay, but even better is refusing to check work email after supper or take work-related phone calls after 8:00. If i read in bed, it's light fiction for pleasure. And finally? I've started using nose strips, the anti-snore things. i sleep more soundly because I'm breathing better.
Good luck!

[Dani]

The fact that you AND the kids are having restless sleep/weird dreams/talking in your sleep makes me wonder if things haven't been extra stressful in the house, to the point where even the kids are effected by it. Have the kids been fighting more than usual? Have you been scolding them more than usual?

Your brain does strange things while you're asleep if you have a lot on your mind.

[Kristin]

All 3 of my kids talk in there sleep. Sometimes it is calm, sometimes they yell at each other in their sleep, one time Joey even sang in his sleep...as cute as it can be, it really screws up my sleep. I feel for your lack of good sleep.

[Ann]

Tertia, I think it's the medication. My dreams are much more vivid and detailed when I've taken a sleeping pill (whoopee... roll ON them drugs!) And, of course, if you are not sleeping well, you will hear your children more in the night. I think they are okay - it's pretty normal for kids to sleep quite restlessly.

Sweet dreams!

[Kim]

Have you been drinking more coffee than usual or drinking it in the afternoons or drinking more wine than usual? Only cos these things affect how well you sleep etc. If so - then try to only have the coffee first thing in the morning and not so much wine - only 1 glass, to see if it makes any difference. They could all interact with the anti depressants and cause the dreams. Also, I don't think it helps if you get up at 4 am as you wouldn't have got enough sleep which may lead to more REM the next night. Also, being stressed out probably contributes to the unpleasant dreams too as dreams tend to symbolise your fears and anxieties. When you're stressed it sometimes leads to more coffee, wine etc as a coping strategy, so a circle is created. I guess you need to find some way of destressing.

[sister Mel]

I think it's becuase your nose is so big and you are really upset that mine is much smaller.

[jacki janse van rensburg]

i get dreams when the seasons change. because i get too hot during the night. and too hot always equals dreams for me.

sister mel does have a point though, i could be because your nose is bigger than hers. or not. :-)