If you've never broken into a cold sweat after dreaming about someone being murdered (or any other crime), you're in luck. These terrifying nighttime visions will shock you to your core, whether you are the victim or the perpetrator in your dream. But are these crime dreams just a side effect of listening to too many true crime podcasts before bed? Or is there a deeper meaning that needs to be decoded?
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As with all types of dream interpretation, it is important to consider the feelings that arise when we dream about someone being murdered or experiencing other violent crimes, and then analyze where else these feelings are currently present in our lives. "A dream is often a metaphor," says Bridgit Dengel Gaspard, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker, which means you can think of it as a message from your subconscious -- something your brain is trying to tell you. Occult practitioner Sean Engel says this is why the meaning of dreams can vary from person to person. While the general meaning of dreams can be broadly applied to everyone, it is always more helpful to interpret your dreams based on your own experiences.
By the way, crime-related dreams can also be symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you have been the victim of a crime in real life (or have a close relationship with a crime victim), it may be helpful to talk to a professional instead of trying to decode such dreams on your own. "Metaphorical dream interpretations are more appropriate for people who haven't experienced this kind of trauma in real life, because these correspondences don't apply to the flashbacks associated with PTSD," Engel tells Bustle. Working with a mental health professional can help you make sense of the traumatic event and may reduce any associated nightmares.
While you may have been watching your favorite true crime shows a little too hard before bed lately, dreams about murders and other crimes can often symbolize different types of (non-crime related) anxiety, dissatisfaction, or feelings we don't like . All are experienced in our real life. Read on for some expert explanations.
1. Dream about robbery
Thankfully, dreaming about a robbery does not mean you will be the victim of an actual robbery. Instead, it may mean that you are currently anxious about losing something (or someone) in a more metaphorical way. According to Engel, dreaming about a robbery often symbolizes the fear of having your things taken away. "For example, if you run an online business and are concerned about your intellectual property being stolen, you might have a recurring burglary dream," Engel said.
To stop these dreams, consider what areas of your life feel unstable or uncertain—such as your career or relationships—and work on building a stronger foundation where you can feel more secure.
2. Dream about burglary
Waking up from a dream about a burglary or someone breaking into your house, it's fair to say that you're worried about someone invading your privacy or crossing your boundaries. Again, imagine the visual of someone climbing through a window or breaking into a door, and what that means.
This is definitely not a fun dream, so take a moment to look at which parts of you feel "invaded" and see if there are ways to "strengthen" your sense of security, so to speak. Are you overworked? Do the people in your life disrespect you? Gaspard says the solution might be as simple as saying "no" when you say "no" more often.
3. Dreaming about committing a crime
No, dreaming about a robbery does not mean you are becoming the next Bonnie or Clyde. If you steal in your dream, you may feel that something is missing in your life, or that you cannot get what you want. Dreaming about robbing other people's property may symbolize intangible qualities or experiences that you have been trying to create for yourself but have not yet succeeded.
4. Dream about being kidnapped
To interpret the meaning of such a dream, start with the details. Gaspard suggests writing down something like who kidnapped you, what the situation was like, and then see how it applies to your past or present self. Dreams about kidnapping may represent a part of you that needs attention. If this sounds like a good idea, Gaspard recommends giving yourself permission to embrace this area of your life.
Of course, kidnapping dreams can also represent a feeling of being trapped or blocked. A kidnapper in a dream may even represent or "hold" the key to a problem in your waking life that needs to be solved. For example, if you dreamed that you were being held captive by your ex, it could mean that your remaining feelings for that person are causing you to feel stuck or unable to move forward.
5. Dreaming about a car chase
According to Gaspard, your car pursuit of your dream car represents your "driving" life. Are you going at warp speed? Are you avoiding things? Are you putting yourself or others at risk? It helps to ask yourself how it feels while driving and who or what you are chasing or being chased. A dream about a runaway car chase may represent a part of you that is running toward a goal at all costs, perhaps at the cost of your health or relationships.
"We can also look at what kind of car is being driven or being chased, which may reflect the status you're trying to achieve, or if it's a car they had in their early years," Gaspard explains. "This may indicate that there are unresolved issues related to that period that need to be addressed." As with all dreams, it can be helpful to talk to a therapist to truly uncover these areas that need to be addressed or healed.
6. Dreams about attacks
Engel says assault dreams can mean that you feel violated, or that some aspect of your life feels extremely out of control. It may also represent latent or repressed anger. But on the other hand, it can also represent protection or a kind of self-love. "For example, this might indicate that you are now ready to deal with a major issue, such as confronting a bully or drug addiction," says Gaspar.
If you have a dream like this, notice what aspects of your life scare you, or if there is anything currently that feels scary and out of your control. This dream could be a sign that it's time to start facing the situation. Is there a way to take small steps to handle it better?
7. Dreaming about you trying to solve a crime
Now imagine that you are the case manager in your dream, following clues and trying to solve a murder or other crime. "Whether we realize it or not, our minds are always processing things," says Gaspard. This type of dream may be another way to solve a difficult problem, such as something in your life that has been holding you back, or a need Solve the dilemma.
This may also be how you resolve social issues in your sleep, such as misunderstandings within a family or friend group. "The detective can represent a calmer, calmer or more curious part of you that is trying to understand the larger situation by understanding the motivations or preferences of the players involved," Gaspard said.
8. Dreaming about being chased
Gaspard believes that chasing dreams is one of the most common types of dreams. (We’ve all experienced that feeling of running away in slow motion, right?) To interpret this type of dream, consider what is chasing you and how you feel in the dream. Gaspard says that shadow chasing you likely represents a part of yourself that you deny. It's chasing you because it needs to be solved.
9. Dreams about murder
Murder dreams are often more than horror movie-induced fears crawling out of your subconscious at night. Engel believes that murder dreams are often the result of suppressed emotions or a loss of control. "When we look at traumatic themes in dreams—including victimization, surrender, loss of control, and death—we can speculate that the dreamer is feeling depressed in some way," Engel said. "They may feel like they can't grasp everything in life."
If you dream about someone being murdered, this may indicate that you are dealing with repressed feelings of anger, frustration, or fear, and your subconscious is trying to find a way for you to express these emotions. If you are the person the murderer is hunting, this may mean that you are trying to escape your own emotions or a situation that requires acknowledgment.
This is why it is important to pay attention to all aspects of the dream, from the victim to the perpetrator to the witnesses. "Each of them has a different personal history as a dreamer and uses this as an opportunity to examine energies that they have denied in their lives and perhaps need to embrace," Gaspard said.
On a more positive note, murder dreams may also mean breaking away from old habits or outdated ways of thinking. In this dream interpretation, old habits are symbolically eliminated. Remember, dreams can be thought of as symbols that your subconscious mind uses to help you resolve other situations in your life that may be causing you to feel stressed, violated, threatened, or angry. So next time you have these scary dreams, don’t be afraid – start analyzing your feelings.
Research references:
Edwards, CL, Ruby, PM, Malinowski, JE, Bennett, PD, & Blagrove, MT (2013). Dreams and insights. Frontiers in Psychology , 4, 979. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00979 .
Wittmann L, Schredl M, Kramer M. Dreams in posttraumatic stress disorder: A critical review of phenomenology, psychophysiology, and treatment. Psychiatrist psychiatrist. 2007;76(1):25-39. Number: 10.1159/000096362. PMID: 17170561.
source:
Bridgit Dengel Gaspard, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Sean Engel, Mystical Practitioner
