 Hey Psych2goers! Have you ever wondered what your nightmares really mean? Could your subconscious be trying to tell you something? Many psychologists work with their patients to interpret dreams. Sigmund Freud, the founder of Psychoanalysis, believed repressed concepts and wishes could be found in dreams. While your own dreams likely have personal meanings that only you can interpret, there are a few common nightmares that have been said to have some strong meanings. So, here are six common nightmares and what they really mean. 1. Being unprepared for a test Have you ever had one of these dreams? Many people seem to. You haven't studied at all for the important test when suddenly you find yourself seated ready to take it. The clock quickly starts to tick and you have no idea what the first answer is. This type of nightmare where one finds themselves unprepared for the important test or assignment represents a lack of confidence. You obviously can't take the test since you haven't studied, so any confidence in acing the exam is absent. This nightmare could also mean you're having a tough time advancing to the next phase of your life. 2. Drowning Have you ever found yourself drowning in a dream? If so, this could mean you've been feeling overwhelmed lately. In the waking world, you find yourself emotionally involved in a commitment or situation. You may find yourself in over your head and engulfed in the deep end of a situation. 3. Teeth falling out Have you ever woken up from a nightmare frantically feeling to see if your teeth have fallen out? Well, if you have dreams where your teeth fall out, this could be symbolic of any insecurities of your appearance. You may get anxious about how others may judge you or your appearance. If you often have strong feelings of embarrassment or fear of rejection, this is likely more true. 4. Being chased Who hasn't been chased in a dream before? It can be pretty terrifying, and it may feel as if your legs suddenly stop working right when you need to run. If you find yourself chased in a nightmare, this could really mean that you're running away from something in real life as well. Maybe you've been avoiding something important? Maybe you don't like to face these issues as you should be. Some believe that whoever is chasing you could be a representation of a part of you. Are your feelings of anger coming back to haunt you? Let's hope not. Better try to wake up and practice working through your anger or fear with a counselor or talk about it with someone you trust. 5. Being late or missing an event Have you ever been late to an important event in your dream? A theater performance? An important job interview? How about being late to that test you weren't prepared for? Being late or missing an event can mean that you feel you're missing out on an opportunity to feel fulfilled. Time is seemingly running out for you and it seems you must hurry and make a choice. You may be anxious about a big discussion in your life that may steer you towards an entirely new path. It's best to take a breath and realize you have enough time to figure this out. Talk with someone about this important decision or lack of fulfillment. You may not be as fearful when a new opportunity arises. It could lead you somewhere new and this doesn't always have to be a scary thing. It can be exciting too. 6. Being naked in a dream What a classic, being naked in a dream. Suddenly you find yourself in a crowded auditorium and nothing but your underwear or nothing at all. This can symbolize a fear you have of one day being exposed. Your emotional insecurities out for everyone to see. Maybe you're not as vulnerable as you should be. Maybe you attempt to put on a strong face when really being more vulnerable is the release you need. This dream could be a reflection of that as well as feelings of uncertainty about a topic. Or about yourself and who you are. It's okay to be more vulnerable around those around you. One of the worst feelings is pretending to be someone you're not. So don't shy away from those feelings. Show the world who you are. And just maybe not all of you. In your next dream, it's best to keep your pants on. So which nightmare have you experienced before? What do you think it means? Were there any symbols in your dream that led you to an interesting interpretation? Let us know in the comments, we'd love to hear from you. If you liked this video, don't forget to click the like button and share it with someone who's been having interesting dreams lately. Subscribe to Psych2Go and hit the notification bell icon for more content like this. And as always, thanks for watching.