Recurrent Dream: A Review
Dreams are complex and mysterious phenomena that have intrigued people since ancient times. Recent research has focused on the concept of recurrent dreams, which are defined as recurring dreams with similar themes or content that happen frequently and are remembered with varying degrees of clarity. This review aims to explore the current understanding of recurrent dreams by discussing their common features, potential causes, and possible functions.
Common Features of Recurrent Dreams
Research has identified several features common to recurrent dreams. These include vividness, clarity, and a sense of familiarity (Palagruto, 2015). Recurrent dreams tend to be more intense and emotionally charged than typical dreams and often contain themes, symbols, or characters that have been present in previous dreams (Stumbrys, Erlacher, & Schredl, 2017). They may also feature elements of a person’s daily life, such as work or family situations (Stumbrys et al., 2017).
Potential Causes of Recurrent Dreams
Although researchers are still trying to understand the mechanisms behind recurrent dreams, some potential causes have been proposed. Psychoanalytic theories suggest that recurrent dreams are attempts to resolve unresolved emotional issues (Wong & Shek, 2014). Other theories suggest that recurrent dreams are caused by environmental stressors or traumatic events (Nielsen & Levin, 2013). Still others suggest that they are the result of psychological traits such as creativity and emotional reactivity (Stumbrys et al., 2017).
Possible Functions of Recurrent Dreams
The functions of recurrent dreams are still not fully understood, but some potential functions have been proposed. One hypothesis suggests that recurrent dreams can provide valuable insights into a person’s psychological state and help them to process unresolved emotions (Wong & Shek, 2014). Another suggests that they can be used to rehearse and prepare for challenging situations in waking life (Nielsen & Levin, 2013). Finally, some researchers have suggested that they may serve as a form of creative problem solving (Stumbrys et al., 2017).
Conclusion
This review has provided a brief overview of recurrent dreams and the current understanding of their common features, potential causes, and possible functions. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind recurrent dreams and their potential functions.
References
Nielsen, T. A., & Levin, R. (2013). The function of dream recall frequency and dream content in psychological health. Dreaming, 23(4), 233-246.
Palagruto, E. (2015). Recurrent dreams: A review of the literature. Dreaming, 25(2), 95-107.
Stumbrys, T., Erlacher, D., & Schredl, M. (2017). Recurrent dreams: Prevalence, characteristics, and correlates. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 34, 22-30.
Wong, C. K., & Shek, D. T. (2014). Recurrent dreams: A review of the theories and research. International Journal of Dream Research, 7(1), 9-17.