Is it possible to dream that you are dying?

Question

I often dream that I am about to die, but then I wake up. Why can't I go through death in a dream?

Answer 1

While it hasn't been common, I've known some people who have died in their dreams.

Ironically, all of my friends who have these sort of dreams type as INFJ on the Myers-Brigg Trait Indicator -- and all had suffered some sort of abuse or abandonment when younger. (I think personality impacts how we perceive things, what things are important or hurtful to us, and thus what shows up in our dreams.)

One would have very violent dreams on a nightly basis, where she would be attacked or threatened by a monster or bad person and either she'd end up stabbing/killing it or be killed herself.

In at least one dream, she died and became a ghost, following her family around but remaining powerless to speak to them.

Dreams seem to be our brain's way of unpacking and repackaging the thoughts and emotions of the day that we consider important.

Symbolically death usually signifies a change of which we are afraid. It's possible that there are stresses in your life of which you are threatened by; or that perhaps you feel you need to let go of something or change something you aren't quite willing to do yet even though you know you should, if you are to become a healthier person.

Your mind is telling you should "die" to this, but you're afraid of what it means and aren't willing to go through with it. In the end, you're the only one who can examine your life and find a connection to your dream(s).

Sometimes, of course, dreams are just creativity gone weird. :)

Answer 2

Yes, it's possible to dream that you're dying. Don't freak out though. Dreams are almost always symbolic. Perhaps there's an aspect of your life or your personality that no longer serves you and your subconscious mind is letting you know through dreams. Also, dreaming of death could also mean a change in how you see the world, and could also mean a "death" of outmoded habits, views, opinions, etc. And also, if you see yourself dead in a dream, keep in mind that the you that you see in dreams could very well be someone else that you identify with and the only reason you see yourself as being dead in your dream is because you can relate to yourself better that way. Kinda confusing, I know. Also, if you see other people in your dreams, such as friends or family, or even total strangers, those are aspects of your personality and they only show up as parts of you that perhaps you need to re-evaluate so that you can understand them better. I highly recommend buying the book "The Dream Dictionary" by Tony Crisp. He's a fantastic author and that book provides a lot of insight into all kinds of dream symbols and their meanings.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

There are several suppositions about death in a dream. Some say that if you dream that you are dying and then you die in the dream- you will actually die. I don't know as I haven't experienced this or spoken to one that has. Dreams tend to express things that are happening in our waking life. Have you had a dream die?
Like maybe you had daydreamed of having your own company- you started the plans for it, then something happened to blow the whole plan to smithereens. Maybe you actually went through the death of a daydream but your subconscious is telling you that it isn't dead yet!

Answer 4

Yes it is possible. I also had a dream where I was gonna die but then I woke up. I think (just think) that you wake up from the dream when it's the dying part because you are afraid to die or you are not ready yet. Sometimes, when you wake up from those kind of dreams, your heart is beating fast. I think that it's because you were nervous that while you were dreaming, you thought that the dream was really happening. These are just my thoughts anyways. :)

Answer 5

Some say that if you se your death in your dreams you will die..I do not believe that is true. I simply think that when you are about to die in your dreams you mind wakes you up, just as it would from any bad dream. Personally I have seen myself die in my dreams, but I am still able to answer this question..so obviously the if you die in your dreams, then you die in the real world thing doesn't hold true for me..

Answer 6

Yes, it is possible, but you will always wake up before you die. If you don't then your body will absorb the shock and you will not live. Your body can not distinquish between the effects of a dream or wake state. The reactions or repercussions are the same where your body is concerned. If you don't wake up or can't wake up from your dream then you know its game over. As long as you take care of your body, it will take care of you. Enjoy life and don't dwell on what may or may not be.

Answer 7

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk, but if someone says that they have actually DIED in their dream, and they are still alive, they are a liar. I have had dreams in which things have happened where i should've died but i always live. Whoever says that they have seen their own funeral is lying unless they are going to die soon. The reason that you cannot go through with death in your dream is because it isn't your time to experience death in real life. That is one of the many divine powers of God. Unfortunately, if you die in your dream, then you are destined to die, kinda like Freddy Krueger style, but this is true.

Answer 8

Yes, one time I dreamed I was drowning and in real life for a couple seconds I stopped breathing, then I woke up and started breathing again. Then when i went back to sleep I dreamed that my sister got stabbed and I started crying in my sleep even though it wasn't true. I'm not sure why you wake up when you are about to die but in my case I wake up right after.

Answer 9

Usually when you have a dream involving death your going through stress in your life about something you cant/dont want talk about.LIke asking for that raise you deserve,telling a fake friend too shove-it,dealing with a bad relationship,fighting with friends/family. Cause thats what always triggers my dreams like that.....just a thought freind....good luck and take control.

Answer 10

I think it may be one of those typical dreams, like flying, falling, or being inappropriately naked. I know that prophetically death in dreams means a birth or rebirth. Also if you really do die in the dream it's a very bad omen.