What does it mean when you have the same dream twice?
Many theories agree that recurring dreams are related to unresolved difficulties or conflicts in the dreamer's life. The presence of recurrent dreams has also been associated with lower levels of psychological wellbeing and the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Although recurring dreams are a normal part of sleep for most people, they can be distressing due to their content. While they can be pleasant, 77% of recurring dreams are negative2, and common themes3 include tooth loss and car crashes.
Or maybe you've had the same dream over the entire course of your life. These repetitive dreams are called recurring dreams. Believe it or not it is extremely common. Recurrent dreams occur between 60 percent and 75 percent of adults and more often in women than men.
Most experts believe that lucid dreams are the rarest type of dreams. While dreaming, you are conscious that you are dreaming but you keep on dreaming. According to researchers, 55 percent of people experience these types of dreams at least one time in their life.
“Dreams are often about identity, because we're figuring out who we are and what we need, and the beliefs and perspectives we hold,” says Wallace. “If you feel unfulfilled, undervalued or not the person you want to be in waking life, your dreams will often reflect that.
What I discovered was that, yes, dreaming about someone might mean they miss you or that you are on their mind. But our dreams often say a lot more about us and our own deepest thoughts, feelings, fears and desires than anyone else's.
When you have a dream that plays out in real life, experts say it's most likely due to: Coincidence. Bad memory. An unconscious linking of known information.
“Activation-synthesis hypothesis suggests dreams are caused by brainstem activation during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and stimulation of the limbic system (emotional motor system),” she says.
If you remember your dream, it could be that you simply woke up during it, so it's fresh in your mind, says Deborah Givan, MD, sleep specialist at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Or remembering could mean that you're remembering the very last dream you had rather than the dream in full.
- Teeth falling out.
- Being chased.
- Unable to find a toilet.
- Being naked.
- Failing exams.
- Flying.
- Falling.
- Crashing a car.
How long do dreams last?
The length of a dream can vary; they may last for a few seconds, or approximately 20–30 minutes. People are more likely to remember the dream if they are awakened during the REM phase.
The types are: 1. Dreaming is Passive Imagination 2. Dream Illusions 3. Dream-Hallucinations.

Some may reveal hidden truths, but some are just noise." Barrett's own research suggests that dreams can be a useful tool for problem solving. In one study, Barrett asked a group of students to think about a particular homework or personal problem that they needed to solve as they drifted off to sleep.
Missing teeth, falling, being chased, snakes, paralysis, death and flying and their aforementioned interpretations are just seven of the most common types of dreams and their meaning.
What Is a Dream Loop? A dream loop sounds like something from the twilight zone. It means you have dreamed that you have woken up in your room and started your day, completely unaware that you are actually dreaming. You wake up again but this time is for real. It is similar to lucid dreaming and false awakening.
Recurring nightmares usually have an underlying cause. Sometimes, this cause can be related to stress or anxiety, medication use, or even substance abuse. If you feel that recurring nightmares are affecting your quality of life, reach out to a doctor or mental health professional.
What I discovered was that, yes, dreaming about someone might mean they miss you or that you are on their mind. But our dreams often say a lot more about us and our own deepest thoughts, feelings, fears and desires than anyone else's.