The Dream We Dream More Than Once

The repetition of dreams can be ‘interpreted’ in various ways, but when it comes to scientific interpretations of dreams, this phenomenon indicates repressed fears and unresolved issues that trouble the person. The occurrence of recurring dreams may also point to health problems of which we are not aware.

Psychologists advise that in cases of frequently recurring dreams, especially if they are unpleasant and provoke negative emotions, the person should consult a professional in order to collaboratively address the issues.

Recurring dreams indicate illness

Russian psychiatrist Vasily Kasatkin explains that dreams can provide insights into illness because every part of the body is connected to the brain through nerves, which transmit signals about an impending disease that the subconscious then translates into dreams. He actually links recurring dreams to hidden diseases in the body. Nightmares and recurring dreams tell us that there is a need to take care of our health and to undergo examinations to find the causes.

Before a migraine sets in, patients report dreams in which they are shot in the head or struck by lightning, as noted by Varnes, Finkelstein, and Gutel. In a neurological study by Ronald Postuma, it was shown that aggressive dreams accompanied by physical activity may indicate neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease up to 10 years before the first symptoms appear. Dreams often also indicate cancer, as well as a common cold.

Dreams that last for decades

Some dreams can recur for decades without resolution or closure. It sometimes happens that, with the help of a psychologist or independently, the patient resolves the conflict that was the cause of the dream, after which the dream ceases to occur or the scenario changes.

For this reason, nightmarish and recurring dreams should not be swept under the rug; they should be addressed and their causes explored. The key role of such dreams is to strengthen us, helping us to overcome what frightens us by confronting our fears again and again.

Meaning of Dreams

Dreams should not be interpreted literally, but metaphorically. Just because you dream that you have a serious illness, it doesn’t mean you are actually suffering from that illness.

Some dreams indeed support Aristotle’s theory that dreams can indicate physical ailments long before symptoms appear. This sounds somewhat like something we could read in a dream dictionary, but it makes more sense when we consider that proper medical examinations can detect changes in the body much earlier than the first symptoms manifest.

A recurring dream most likely indicates the presence of a psychological issue. Therefore, if a particular dream bothers you with its frequency and content, consider seeking help from a psychotherapist to work together on a resolution.