Share Exam Dreams & Teeth Loosening Nightmares Here!

In summary, this conversation discusses people's dreams and what they may mean. Some people have dreams about an upcoming exam, while others have dreams about other things. There is no solid evidence to support any of these claims, and dreams are still mostly unknown to scientists.
  • #1
Swamp Thing
Insights Author
970
670
strangerep said:
If I tried to do a serious exam now under time pressure I'd probably collapse with a heart attack.

This led me to wonder how many people here have exam dreams, maybe even years or decades after they last had to sit an exam? Share your wierd or amusing exam dreams here!

Apart from the actual exam itself, I often dream that I am enrolled for some course with an exam looming soon. My class notes and text books are illegible, incomprehensible or just falling to tatters. Plus I somehow can't find my room in the students' hostel.

As an aside, how many people have "teeth loosening and about to fall off" dreams? For me these are highly reaslistic, in terms of how it feels to rotate slightly and press the hanging tooth into place with one's tongue.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It must be a common dream; I certainly have them fairly often. It is not so much a feeling of panic about the upcoming exam, it's usually more of a feeling of dissapointment that I didn't schedule my studying well, and missed lots of assignments because I was too busy with other classes or other things.

No big deal; wake up and realize that it was a dream, and dismiss it and go back to sleep.
 
  • #3
Swamp Thing said:
This led me to wonder how many people here have exam dreams, maybe even years or decades after they last had to sit an exam?
Yes, I have similar recurring exam dreams, though not very often. It's always my year-12 German exam (which is curious because that material has now mostly evaporated from my memory through non-use). Then, in the dream, I ask myself: "Why am I doing this exam again? I already did it and got a good grade". Bizarre.

Swamp Thing said:
Apart from the actual exam itself, I often dream that I am enrolled for some course with an exam looming soon. My class notes and text books are illegible, incomprehensible or just falling to tatters.
One time I dreamed I was doing Hons Elec Eng again, but couldn't follow any of the math in the class. This is seriously bizarre because math was one of my strongest assets during Elec Eng. (I'd previously completed Hons Applied Math.)

Swamp Thing said:
As an aside, how many people have "teeth loosening and about to fall off" dreams?
I've never had that, but I occasionally have dreams of another... "appendage" that becomes detachable. :eek:

Then there's the endless rising/raging water dreams, but at my age that's just my subconscious telling me I need to wake up and visit the bathroom. :oldfrown:

More recently, my water dreams have become populated with fearsomely huge monsters patrolling the murky depths. (Yes, that's just another variant of "you need to visit the bathroom".) :oldsmile:

Then there's the oft-recurring dreams where I'm able to fly, sometimes by willpower but more often by a swimming action or flapping my arms. Maybe I was bird in a previous life. :olduhh:

Unfortunately, there seems to be no scientifically-sound studies of what dreams mean - in the sense of what different types of dreams are correlated with in the person's body or experience. All the dream lore I could find seems to be just crackpot stories, without any foundation in evidence.

The human brain/mind is truly bizarre.
 

FAQ: Share Exam Dreams & Teeth Loosening Nightmares Here!

What causes exam dreams and teeth loosening nightmares?

Exam dreams and teeth loosening nightmares are often caused by stress and anxiety. These types of dreams are common when individuals are feeling overwhelmed by upcoming exams or personal challenges. The brain processes these anxieties during sleep, resulting in vivid and sometimes unsettling dreams.

Are exam dreams and teeth loosening nightmares related to any psychological conditions?

Yes, these types of dreams can be related to psychological conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and stress-related conditions. They are often manifestations of underlying anxiety and can be more frequent during periods of high stress or significant life changes.

How can I reduce the frequency of these dreams?

To reduce the frequency of exam dreams and teeth loosening nightmares, it is important to manage stress and anxiety effectively. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, proper sleep hygiene, regular exercise, and talking to a therapist can help alleviate the underlying stress that causes these dreams.

Do these dreams have any specific meanings?

Dreams about exams and teeth loosening are often symbolic of feelings of inadequacy, fear of failure, or loss of control. They reflect the dreamer's concerns about their performance and self-image. However, the specific meaning can vary depending on the individual's personal experiences and current life situations.

Should I be concerned if I frequently have these dreams?

While occasional exam dreams and teeth loosening nightmares are common and usually not a cause for concern, frequent occurrences may indicate high levels of stress or anxiety that need to be addressed. If these dreams are impacting your sleep quality or daily life, it may be helpful to consult with a healthcare professional or therapist.

Back
Top