Lucid Dreams: Why You Realize You're Dreaming - Psychiatry

Share to:

Lucid dreaming


Hello, doctor.
I have a question.
While dreaming, I can accurately recognize that I am dreaming, and it's a bit hard to explain.
For example, when I was younger, I had a nightmare related to "ghosts," but strangely, halfway through the dream, a voice told me, "This isn't real." As a result, I started to have a conversation with myself in the dream, saying, "There are no such things as 'ghosts'." Suddenly, I realized, "This is a dream," and when I said that, I opened my eyes.
Why does this happen? I really don't understand.
Not every dream gives me this awareness.
I am 18 years old now, and this has happened to me about five times from the past until now, with a few occurrences in recent years.
Is this something that can happen to other people? Do I need to see a doctor?

mou, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2003/03/12

Dr. Tang Xinbei reply Psychiatry


Dear friend: It is completely normal to dream while sleeping; everyone dreams every night, although in most cases, we do not remember the content of our dreams.
Sometimes we do recall our dreams, particularly if we wake up suddenly during certain stages of sleep (when dreaming occurs), and even then, it generally does not affect our daily lives.
Therefore, the root of your concern may not lie in the fact that you dream, but rather in how you perceive your dreams and their impact on you.
If this issue truly troubles you, it may be more beneficial to consult a doctor to determine if there are any underlying abnormalities.
Wishing you peace and joy!

Reply Date: 2003/03/12

More Info


Lucid dreaming, or the phenomenon where a person becomes aware that they are dreaming while still in the dream, is a fascinating subject that has intrigued both psychologists and neuroscientists. Your experience of recognizing that you are in a dream, particularly during a nightmare, is not uncommon and can be understood through several psychological and neurological frameworks.

Firstly, lucid dreaming typically occurs during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep, which is when most vivid dreaming happens. During this phase, the brain is highly active, and certain areas associated with self-awareness and decision-making, such as the prefrontal cortex, show increased activity. This heightened brain activity may allow some individuals to recognize the dream state, leading to the awareness that they are dreaming. Your experience of hearing a voice telling you "this isn't real" and subsequently realizing that you were dreaming indicates that your brain was actively processing information and making judgments about your reality, even while in a dream state.

The ability to become aware of dreaming can vary significantly among individuals. Some people may experience lucid dreams frequently, while others may never have them. Factors such as personality traits, sleep patterns, and even practice techniques (like reality checks or dream journaling) can influence the frequency of lucid dreaming. It’s also worth noting that some individuals may have a natural predisposition towards lucid dreaming, which could explain why you have experienced this phenomenon multiple times throughout your life.

Regarding your question about whether this could happen to others, the answer is yes. Many people report having lucid dreams, and there are even communities and resources dedicated to teaching techniques to induce lucid dreaming. This phenomenon is not considered a disorder or a medical issue; rather, it is a unique aspect of the dreaming experience that some individuals can harness for various purposes, such as overcoming nightmares, enhancing creativity, or simply enjoying the dream experience.

As for whether you need to see a doctor, it largely depends on how these experiences affect your daily life. If your lucid dreams are causing you distress, anxiety, or impacting your sleep quality, it might be beneficial to consult with a healthcare professional, particularly a sleep specialist or a psychologist. They can help you explore these experiences further and provide strategies to manage any negative feelings associated with them. However, if you find that your lucid dreaming is not causing significant distress and you are simply curious about it, you may not need to seek medical advice.

In conclusion, lucid dreaming is a fascinating and relatively common phenomenon that can occur during sleep. Your ability to recognize when you are dreaming is a testament to your brain's capacity for self-awareness, even in altered states of consciousness. While it is generally not a cause for concern, if you feel that your experiences are troubling or disruptive, seeking professional guidance could be a helpful step. Understanding your dreams can lead to greater insight into your subconscious mind and may even enhance your overall sleep experience.

Similar Q&A

Feeling Dreamlike While Awake: Understanding a Disturbing Mental State

Hello, doctor. Recently, I have been experiencing episodes where I suddenly feel like I am dreaming while I am awake, and everything seems unreal. Before these episodes, I am fully awake, functioning normally, and responding appropriately, but then, in an instant, I feel as if ev...


Dr. Yan Congyou reply Psychiatry
Hello ZZ: The feelings you described are indeed a type of psychosomatic symptom known as dissociative syndrome. However, there are many potential causes for such feelings, including stress, depression, anxiety, or any trauma that affects the mind and body. Therefore, it is advisa...

[Read More] Feeling Dreamlike While Awake: Understanding a Disturbing Mental State


Understanding Sexual Harassment in Dreams: Insights from Psychiatry

I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.


Dr. Tang Xinbei reply Psychiatry
Dear friend, I apologize for the delay in responding to your question due to a malfunction in the hospital's email server. It seems that you often wake up from dreams related to your own experiences. Our dreams are connected to our life experiences, inner desires, conflicts...

[Read More] Understanding Sexual Harassment in Dreams: Insights from Psychiatry


Excessive Dreaming and Its Impact on Mental Health: When to Seek Help

Hello doctor, I have been experiencing vivid dreams at night that lead to poor mental clarity during the day. I also sometimes wake up suddenly feeling like I'm falling. In my dreams, I even have experiences that connect with reality, such as dreaming that my alarm clock is ...


Dr. Liang Sunyuan reply Psychiatry
Hello: It is advisable to reflect on whether there have been any stressful events recently, or if there are any feelings of anxiety, fear, or worry regarding certain situations. Dreams are often related to recent psychological or physiological stress. You might try to identify th...

[Read More] Excessive Dreaming and Its Impact on Mental Health: When to Seek Help


Understanding Sleep-Related Thought Disturbances: When to Seek Help

I often find myself unable to control my thoughts just as I'm about to fall asleep. It feels somewhat like dreaming, with many unrelated thoughts flooding my mind. After a moment, I suddenly realize what I'm thinking and feel anxious, as if my thoughts are not my own, a...


Dr. Lin Mianzhang reply Psychiatry
Hello, Yu Mi: Experiencing automated thoughts as you are about to fall asleep is actually quite common. There is no need to see a doctor for this, nor should it cause you any anxiety! Wishing you peace and good health!

[Read More] Understanding Sleep-Related Thought Disturbances: When to Seek Help


Related FAQ

Nightmares

(Psychiatry)

Sleepwalking

(Psychiatry)

Brain

(Psychiatry)

Auditory Hallucinations

(Psychiatry)

Hypnosis

(Psychiatry)

Delusion

(Psychiatry)

Breathing

(Psychiatry)

Sexual Fantasies

(Psychiatry)

Sleeping Pills

(Psychiatry)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

(Psychiatry)