Vivid Dreams

Does he remember his dreams and write them down in the morning? That’s an important place to start, though it may imply getting up earlier to have time to write them, or at least brief summations. Can he draw pictures of what they were about, then talk about what the pictures remind him of? Are they along a repetitious theme?
Can a message be found from themes they may have in common?

I consider my own dreams a gift, and like to mull over their messages. Sometimes they foreshadow events. However it is important to learn one’s own symbolic language of dreams, to learn when to interpret them literally or symbolically. Books have been written on this subject.

My husband had Night Terrors. Sometimes he screamed loudly while dreaming. Their themes seemed to be fearing being invaded, someone coming for him through a wall, etc. They happened about an hour or two after he went to sleep. My sleep doctor said this sounded like “REM behavior sleep disorder.” Wishing you and your son well in applying what may seem disruptive in your lives, his vivid dreams, into a gift. At least that is my hope for you.

@raye, great tips for @ljones0720 to help her and her son investigate his vivid dreams and the underlyig cause.

Ljones, you may also find helpful tips in these related discussions:
- Bad nights and dreams: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bad-nights-and-dreams/
- Disturbing, detailed dreams: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/disturbing-detailed-dreams/

May I ask how old your son is? Is he a child or an adult?

Good question, Colleen. I wondered about his age also. For example, teen aged hormones can send one on quite a “rocky merry-go-round ride.”

Another thought: how is his school, or other social situation? Any bullying?

Hope everyone will sleep well tonight. It’s quite hot in some areas. Like lettuce, I do better in cool storage at night. @raye

Greetings. I, too, have vivid dreams and mostly nightmares every night. I always did have many dreams even as a child. Sometimes it was the medication I was on but now they are caused by PTSD. Waking life can be traumatic. I try not to worry, but in my world, I am watching life as an American as I knew it crumbling around me.

@ljones0720

I have had this issue my whole life. I am 77 now, still waking feeling exhausted.
Sleep medicine has been no help at all. One doctor called it epic dreaming saying that it is rare, but I think thousands of people suffer from similar symptoms.
Their only suggestion now is to take a stimulant in the morning to perk me up.

He is 21. This has been going on for about 3 1/2 years. It seems to have taken a turn for the worse in the last 2 years.

Here is a broadly helpful blanket statement which helps me in a variety of instances. It never hurts to count one’s blessings. That may seem too mild to be useful, but try it. If awakening in the night, I like to make a gratitude list, including all the people who have been helpful through the years. There have been many. Sometimes they didn’t even know it. I send them mental thank you notes before drifting back to sleep under that cozy blanket.

Now, regarding the 21 year old son, that’s an age, unfortunately, when many sometimes experiment with drugs. Could they be involved? Just a thought. Wishing a resolution to what ever may be causing this concern.

OP,

All I can offer is a hug and knowing your son is not alone. I can relate to what you and your son are going through.

I am in the same situation as you. My son, now 25, has had the same problem for around ten years. Over those years, we have tried everything -- and continue to try. To say we are frustrated is an understatement. It has been especially rough on him. He is now on disability.

The Mayo Clinic diagnosed him with "possible epic dreaming." They tried two different medications, and neither one worked. Epic dreaming is a rare condition. They told me there has only been one study with 40-50 participants. They also say the condition can disappear later as quickly as it showed up.

As a fellow parent going through the same thing, I know how hard this must be on you. All we can do is move forward and keep looking for a solution.

If you have any questions, let me know. I will do my best to answer them!