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I can usually trace my bad dreams to things that I am worried about or stressers in my life. I don't think our brains ever stop working on our problems. I remember when I had Calculus and would struggle and struggle with a problem. I would put it away and then the next morning, in the shower or something, the real solution would hit me. My brain kept working on it even though I wasn't consciously applying my thoughts to the problem. I think dreams do this too. Since quitting smoking, I often have smoking dreams. I wake up in a panic, thinking that I smoked and blew it. Most of my bad dreams happen when I'm feeling like things are out of control and I am helpless to fix it. Those dreams end up being tornado dreams, where I lose everything but I am ok, or other types of horrible disasters, but I am always ok. I think it's my subconscious saying "Don't worry, bad things might happen but you'll be ok" Same with the dreams where you're running away from something but you're moving in slow motion. Or the age old "surprise test" dream, which I had a lot in college!
My most interesting dream was when I was trying to find the courage to leave my first husband. I dreamt that I was at my own wedding but there was no groom. My friends and family surrounded me in a big circle and were celebrating with me. It made me realize that the people who love me would support me in my decision. I obviously knew that on some level, but was afraid people would judge me for having a marriage that lasted only 14 months. It was the most reassuring dream ever.
I often have very complex technicolor dreams that are like watching a movie. Sometimes I'm in them, sometimes I'm not. I've often thought that those dreams would make really good books or movies if only I could remember the details to write them down! Those are not scary dreams though.
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