How to interpret your dreams –

When it comes to dreams, there are many theories about what they are and what they mean. And who has never researched the meaning of a dream on the internet… let the first stone be thrown! That’s why today we’ve brought you a step-by-step guide on how you can interpret the dreams you have at night.

WHAT ARE DREAMS?

“Dreams are, fundamentally, and according to psychoanalysis, the representation of our unconscious”, explains the psychologist Alexander Bez, specialist in relationships and mental health. “Psychoanalytically speaking, dreams are one of the four paths used by the psychoanalytic line to reach the contents that reside in the unconscious, these being latent, and thus not accessible.”

Dreams form for many reasons. These motivations range from repressed content to loving desires, going through trauma experiences – and even being repetitive according to the trauma experienced. However, regardless of their origin, all dreams have the particularity of referring to this access that is mentally blocked.

That’s why dreams have a direct connection with our emotional and physical state. “Dreams also represent psychological, emotional and physical conflicts. In the latter case, if you have any physical condition or are going to undergo surgery, even just a tooth extraction.”

We can remember, here, a super classic case: people who dream of rain or waterfalls because they feel like peeing. It is an unconscious signal of a physical need that has not yet been met. Often, the dream can be even more explicit: you dream that you are peeing and you may even end up relieving your bladder in bed.

CAN DREAMS BE INTERPRETED?

As said earlier, everyone has wanted to interpret their own dreams at some point in their lives, but they can only be correctly analyzed by mental health professionals (such as psychologists) who follow the line of psychoanalysis or psychoanalysts themselves.

“O access to the unconscious and its interpretations are exclusive to psychoanalytic psychology. Never, ever from the behavioral line”, clarifies the professional. “The work of dream interpretation is individual—patient to patient. And the analysis can only be done through the professional who is treating the patient.”

All analysis is valid and, even with the description of the dream by the patient, interpretations sometimes require associations that demand time. That is, a quick Google search, unfortunately, will not bring up precise answers about why you dreamed that that distant aunt insisted that you were pregnant.

HOW TO INTERPRET DREAMS?

Considering Alexander’s recommendation – only trained professionals can correctly interpret the dreams we have, it is essential to understand that these interpretations depend on many factors and change from person to person – since the meanings and symbols are highly particular.

However, it is worth paying attention to some points that may indicate a path of interpretation that can then be explored with the help of the appropriate professional.

1

Pay attention to emotions

Dreams often awaken emotions – some of them very strong. Pay attention to what these sensations are, the situation in which they happened and write about it when you wake up. Here, it is even worth reflecting on whether these sensations and situations have any parallel with what you are experiencing now.

two

pay attention to people

The characters who star in your dream are also important. Who are the people involved in your dream? Are they known or unknown? Are they people you live with today or past relationships, like a childhood friend or a teacher? And, going further, what meaning does this relationship have for you? Often, dreaming of a strict father is a sign of anxiety and fear of disappointment triggered by a work issue.

3

observe the entirety

A single dream can have very specific meanings, but it’s worth looking at dreams as a whole for patterns of behavior, for example.