I had a dream I had an anxiety attack...
@allyoftherain (7208)
United States
July 2, 2012 12:42pm CST
I was recently diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder. Well, within the last five months. I've probably had it since elementary school, but until five months ago I didn't know I had it. Anyway, been taking medication, talking to a therapist, and going to group therapy.
Last night I had this dream where I was at church, and my class had been moved to a much smaller classroom. When I arrive there, the room is filled to the brim with people that I don't know very well. I can't find a seat. I feel my heart beating faster and my breath getting shorter. Then I'm tearing up and squeezing myself into a little corner hoping nobody comes to look at me. Someone, that I sort of know but not that well, comes up to me and asks me what's wrong. I respond that I'm having an Anxiety Attack. She leaves me alone and I withdraw from the room.
Now, this struck me for a few reasons. I've had dreams where I've been in situations that have made me anxious, have panic attacks, etc. That's just a reflection of life really. But this is the first dream I've had where I actually identified what it was within the dream. I didn't act as my therapy tells me I should, 
but I did know what was happening. I'm not sure I should take this as a good sign (because I'm learning to identify my symptoms in dreams) or a bad sign (because I didn't act out any of my solutions in the dream). I don't really believe that dreams have symbolic/subconscious meaning, for the most part this dream is just a reflection of reality. But having it makes me wonder if I can use my dreams to practice my skills that I'm learning in therapy in a non-threatening environment. lol
Ever had dreams where you had a bout of anxiety or a panic attack? Ever had a dream that made you anxious even if it wasn't about having an anxiety episode?
but I did know what was happening. I'm not sure I should take this as a good sign (because I'm learning to identify my symptoms in dreams) or a bad sign (because I didn't act out any of my solutions in the dream). I don't really believe that dreams have symbolic/subconscious meaning, for the most part this dream is just a reflection of reality. But having it makes me wonder if I can use my dreams to practice my skills that I'm learning in therapy in a non-threatening environment. lol
Ever had dreams where you had a bout of anxiety or a panic attack? Ever had a dream that made you anxious even if it wasn't about having an anxiety episode?2 people like this
4 responses
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
12 Jul 12
I have been told that actually when we have Dreams like this, it is a Good thing as it helps awake us as in our emotions, thoughts and feelings to where we can better deal with real life and what is going on around us. I have even heard we need to write these down when they happen and focus on how we can move forward from there.
Since you are going to Therapy have you discussed this dream and got some feedback and learned a good way to move forward from there? I often find being able to talk about things going on in your life, and even here is a Great way to move on in life for sure.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
14 Jul 12
I always write down my dreams, so I did write it down when it happened. I didn't talk about it with my therapist or my group, because I have had enough real anxiety episodes to occupy my time with. Really, this dream was just a reflection of reality... I don't think it revealed anything to me other than I can now subconsciously identify what my anxiety episodes feel like.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
3 Jul 12
I think believing in your dreams is also an additional anxiety for you. Because you start to think about the dream and want to what that dreams all about so another anxiety come to you...
Isn't better that believing anything about your dreams and other superstitious belief must stop. Because they are helping you with your disorder those practice will make your worried. Instead, of easing your anxiety your getting more and more. Dreams are only a sort of our slept and they are not happen in real. We are not in the time of the prophet or in the time of the apostle where God, deliver a message to the prophet or sent an angel to say something to the people.
We are now, in the christian era and a future where development are in advance. Believing those dreams is no longer the methods of God, sent a message to us. God, create a bible for people to uphold and learn.
Just believing in the words of God, have faith on it. Don't just be easy to believe in what you dreams about or what those people behind you that telling you something about luck, prophecy, and fortune telling...
Even if a hundred of psychologist will advice you something about your disorder. They are nothing compare to your help with yourself. You alone being the one who ease your or cure your anxiety...
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
4 Jul 12
"Believing in my dreams"? "Superstitious belief must stop"? I quite clearly said in my post that I don't believe in dreams having some sort of subconscious/symbolic meaning that can be interpreted. I don't take dream interpretation seriously. If you had read my post fully you would have caught that. I was just wondering if my inability to act on my tools that I've learned in therapy in my dream might mean that I'm not practicing them enough. (I can't 'do them in my sleep' so to speak.) I was also wondering if anyone else struggling with anxiety had the same kind of experience.
I have a psychiatrist/therapist and a DBT group therapy group. I could not have risen out of the dump of major depression that I was without them. I have to work too, obviously. But I'm not too keen on the 'self help' talk. I do need other people.
@lologirl2021 (5542)
• United States
2 Jul 12
I wish i could say that my Anxiety Attacks only happen in my dreams and not in real life. I think i have them everyday but i guess its just something that i live with and i get over them farely quickly with things.
I was pissed off today and thought i was just going to leave work and go somewhere to calm down. I was mad because im trying to buy a house once again i feel like and i had this guy who i called in february who got me a credit scores now he wont do it again and i have to pay way to much money to get my credit scores and i think that is ridiculous so i might just call this other guy and get my scores again for free and not have to worry about it. I have to get my credit scores obvisouly to get a house and move forward in my life, since i got kicked out of my parents house yesterday im trying to get things done farely quickly with this since im stressing about it and its killing me and i hate it.
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
4 Jul 12
Well, as I said, my dreams are a reflection of my reality. They most certainly happen in real life, all the time... more so than they do in my dreams in fact.
I'm very sorry you've had such trouble. Are you in any kind of therapy for the treatment of anxiety? I ask because I'm in DBT and it's been a big help to me.
@loveistheonlytruth (114)
• India
2 Jul 12
dreams are dreams , just let them go as clouds , be alert and enjoy life
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Well I don't believe that my dream means something symbolic/or subconscious. I do think it might mean I haven't ingrained my personal skills deep enough into my psyche for me to go to them even unconsciously. That probably just means that I need more practice.
Your response really isn't all that helpful.
