How are nightmares formed? Are they made up like any other dream?

Question

I woke up from a very surreal and frightening nightmare and I'm still kinda shaky about it. It's also too weird to explain so if you really want to know, just shoot me a message and I'll explain in private.

Anyhoo, how are nightmares formed and are they formed the same way as regular dreams (which I assume is true)?

Ok, for the record, I'm putting my nightmare in here.

A few days ago, I was watching a show where they were talking about murderous criminals and they mentioned the "killer clown" guy John W. Gacy. Earlier, I saw a picture of him on the Internet that freaked the crap out of me

This all plays out in this dream. I dreamt that Gacy was just executed for his crimes and everyone put his body in a casket with the Internet picture that scared me. I woke up at 4:44 a.m. this morning in a sweat, then went back to sleep and dreamed that, before he became the murderer he was, Gacy and his friends would actually help poor people get medical attention for their kids and their pets (in reality, he entertained kids as a clown).

If you want to see the picture that freaked me out, go to www.amiannoying.com, type in his full name in the search part and look it up.

Answer 1

most nightmares stem from something that sub-conciously bothered you over the past few days... You may or may not even know what it was. Usually what occurs in the dreams isn't really relevant, its just your body and brains way of dealing with what is sub-consiously bothering you... for example: you could have just been walking down the street and seen a picture or heard an arguement, watched a scary or emotional movie... there are thousands of possibilities anything that might have shook you or bothered you inside even without you realizing it... Its your brain's way of helping to get it our of your system... same way as getting a fever and sweating helps you get rid of being sick...
Although if it is something that continues, constant night terrors (which are much worse than regular nightmares), or night after night of horrible nightmares, it can be possibly something deeper possibly from your past that might have been sparked in some way bringing back memories previously forgotten and hidden into your subconcious...
I hope this helps in some way

Answer 2

I think nightmares are based on actual anxiety. My nightmares are usually about missing an appointment, you know, when you wake up late, can't find the right thing to wear, and as you tear through your closet you are aware that the bus passes in 5 minutes and you won't make it, you have no money for a cab...and so on. My last nightmare was before I was leaving on a trip to Victoria, and I dreamed that I had forgotten my passport at the cottage, and in order to make it to the airport on time, I would have to make the the 2 hour drive there and back in 45 minutes. Terrifying, I know,ha ha, but I wake up with that ball of stress and frustration in my chest ! So obviously I have anxiety about "missing the boat". Anyhoo, nightmares are made up like regular dreams, usually based on events that happen during your regular day but where the things that make you anxious pop up and throw everything outta wack. If you have good dream recall you should write them down. That way you can look at them objectively and figure out what's going on.

Answer 3

Try this site ... Like Magic ... the way dreams can be learned.
If you got the time you really can know... The Psychology of Dreams Myths - Dreams - Symbols. http://www.mythsdreamssymbols.com/
On site Directory , Dream Dictionaries.

On Site Translation >>>> # 11.

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Example :

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Answer 4

i dont wanna know what it is, but yes, nightmares and dreams are formed the same way. not much is known about them in general, but essentially they are images and events drawn from your subconscious - whether they be memories, fantasies or whatever, its just your brain kinda doing what it want while you sleep. nightmares usually stem from bad memories or fears you may have.