How To Interpret Dreams

Interpreting your dreams can tell you a lot about yourself and what's on your mind, especially your subconscious thoughts.

There is not unanimous agreement on what dreams mean, but there are some common dreams that people have that most psychoanalysts agree have certain meanings. Let's look at a few.

One common dream is that you are being chased. This means that you are feeling anxiety about something. Your pursuer can represent a person or issue you have a conflict with, and instead of confronting the problem, you are running away from it. It can also represent an aspect of yourself that you are afraid of, trying to get away from.

This could also mean that you feel physically endangered in your daily environment. If you are able to widen the distance between you and your pursuer, it could mean that while a problem still exists, you are successfully putting it behind you. Or if you are the one doing the chasing, it could mean that you feel that you are falling behind, trying to catch up to others.

Another common dream is the test/exam dream. This means that in your waking life, you are probably being put to the test, or being examined closely. Maybe you are trying to end an addiction, or maybe you are on probation at work. If you dream that you somehow fail the test, maybe you even forgot to show up for it, this means that you are anxious that you will fail real life tests. It may mean that you don't feel up for a challenge and that you are full of self doubt. It can also mean that you are afraid of letting others down.

A lot of people have dreams in which they are falling. You may suddenly wake up, sometimes with your heart racing and sweat all over your body. These dreams mean that you are feeling insecure and anxious. It could have to do with relationships or work, but you are most likely feeling out of control in some aspect of your life. These dreams can also reflect a feeling of failure or inability to keep up with the status quo.

Dreaming of flight is also very common. This dream means that you feel in control, powerful and on top of a situation. It can also mean that you now have a new perspective on something. If you are having trouble staying aloft, then it can mean you are struggling to hold on to power and control in your life. If you become fearful due to the height it can mean you are uncomfortable with your position of power. These dreams can also mean that you feel you can do anything even if it seems impossible.

Most people at one time or another have had a dream where they are naked in an inappropriate place, such as a public park or an office. You suddenly realize this and feel very embarrassed. This can mean that you feel shame about something in your real life that you would prefer to have hidden. This dream could be telling you that you're trying to be something that isn't really you and that you're afraid people will see through your disguise.

This is common if you have a new job or new relationship and are trying to impress people, but you feel that you can't be yourself. If nobody in the dream notices that you are naked, it could mean that subconsciously you know that your fears are unfounded and that you are just being paranoid. If you dream that you are proud of your nakedness, it means that you feel comfortable with your true, natural self and you feel very free.

Surprisingly, the most common dream that people have is where they lose their teeth. The teeth can suddenly crumble, or slowly rot, or just pop out somehow. This can stem from anxieties about feeling like you don't look good enough, or are getting old, or lack power. Maybe you feel that your opinion or voice is going unheard. This dream can be an indication that you need to be more assertive and believe in your ideas more.

There are many other dreams that people have and the meanings are open to interpretation. These dreams are the most common and if you think about what's happening in your real life, chances are, they will make sense.