How can dreams affect your life and how can psychological counseling help you?
Dreams have long fascinated psychologists and researchers alike, serving as windows into the subconscious mind and offering valuable insights into human behaviour and emotions. From Sigmund Freud’s pioneering work to modern-day dream analysis, psychologists have explored how dreams psychologically impact individuals’ lives in profound ways. Let us know more about dreams and their effects from leading psychologist in Delhi Shivani Misri in this article.
How do dreams affect you?
The effect dreams have can vary from person to person. Some people are more inclined to remember their dreams and to look for meanings that might inform their waking life. Other people have less of an interest in remembering or interpreting the content of their dreams and may feel that dreams have no lingering effects after waking up.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are two common mental health conditions that significantly impact dream experiences. Individuals with these conditions often report more disturbing dreams and nightmares.
Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, are particularly associated with dream anxiety attacks. Depression, characterized by negative shifts in mood, disrupts sleep patterns, particularly REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, where most dreaming occurs.
PTSD and Trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by distressing memories, flashbacks, and nightmares related to past traumatic experiences. Nightmares are a defining feature of PTSD, often containing emotions and imagery from the traumatic event.
Children with PTSD may experience frightening dreams unrelated to their trauma. Trauma-related nightmares can significantly impact sleep quality and exacerbate symptoms of PTSD.
Psychosis and Schizophrenia
Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, can distort perceptions of reality and affect dream content. Individuals with schizophrenia may experience bizarre dreams, often featuring victimization or surreal imagery. Research suggests a significant overlap between psychosis and persistent nightmares, indicating shared underlying mechanisms.
Medication Effects
Medications used to treat mental health conditions can also influence dream experiences. Certain antidepressants and antipsychotic medications may cause nightmares as a side effect or during withdrawal. These medication-induced nightmares can contribute to sleep disturbances and affect overall mental well-being.
Nightmare Disorder
Persistent nightmares that interfere with daily functioning may be diagnosed as nightmare disorder, a mental health condition requiring intervention. Unlike occasional nightmares, nightmare disorder can significantly impair daytime functioning and exacerbate existing mental health symptoms.
Psychological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy for nightmares (CBT-I), are effective in treating nightmare disorders and improving sleep quality. The relationship between dreams and mental health is intricate and multifaceted. Dreams often reflect underlying psychological processes and can be influenced by various mental health conditions.
Understanding the interplay between dreaming and mental health is essential for developing effective interventions and improving overall well-being. Psychotherapy, medication management, and sleep hygiene practices are integral components of addressing dream-related distress and promoting mental health recovery.
When to seek professional help?
Knowing when to seek professional help for concerns about your dreams or mental health is crucial for overall well-being. If you’re troubled by the frequency or content of your dreams, reaching out to a doctor or mental health professional can provide valuable support, insight into potential causes, and discuss effective treatment options.
Recognizing changes in your general mood or mental state is another important indicator to seek professional guidance. Here are some signs that may warrant a conversation with a professional:
Sleep Disturbances
Persistent trouble sleeping or experiencing disruptions in your sleep patterns can indicate underlying issues that may benefit from professional intervention.
Changes in Appetite or Weight
Unexpected changes in appetite or weight, whether an increase or decrease, may be indicative of emotional distress or underlying mental health concerns.
Mood Changes
Feeling consistently low or experiencing mood changes that make it challenging to engage in daily activities, such as getting out of bed or focusing on tasks, may signal the need for professional support.
Difficulty Focusing
Struggling to concentrate or experiencing difficulty focusing on tasks can be a symptom of underlying mental health issues that may require intervention.
Changes in Behavior
New or increased drug use, withdrawal from activities you used to enjoy, or difficulty functioning at work, school, or in relationships are all red flags that may indicate the need for professional assistance.
Thoughts of Self-Harm or Death
Any thoughts or feelings related to self-harm or death should be taken seriously and addressed promptly by a mental health professional.
Seeking help from a mental health professional is not restricted to addressing mental health conditions. Even if you don’t have a diagnosed condition, a professional can help you improve your overall mental health and well-being.
By working with a therapist or counsellor, you can develop coping strategies, improve self-awareness, and enhance your quality of life. Ultimately, prioritizing your mental health can lead to greater well-being and may even contribute to more positive dream experiences.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
