Dreams of Being Chased

From The Hidden Meaning of Dreams
by Craig Hamilton-Parker and illustrated by Steinar Lund
(Available for press, radio and TV interviews)

My young son has a recurring nightmare of being chased through woods by a black, shadowy figure. How can I help him overcome his fears?
M T- Perth Aust.

This is a metaphor for insecurity. Circumstances may be closing in on him or he may feel at the mercy of feelings that get out of control. He may have feelings of guilt or fear of being caught for something he has done. Ask him if there's something that's upsetting him and reassure him that you will support him whatever it is.

Children who have this dream may be being bullied at school. If the problem persists and you notice unusual or extreme behaviour in your child speak to your GP who will put you in touch with someone who can help.

Like dreams of falling, being chased reflects the dreamers feelings of insecurity. The dreamer is running away from something. Freud had a heyday with this one. Men were running away from the fear of castration he says and women from sexual attackers who symbolised her secret desires to be wooed.

The figure that pursues the dreamer is most likely to represent an unresolved aspect of the dreamer's circumstances or personality.

ASK YOURSELF:

1. What am I running away from? You may feel that circumstances are closing in on you and feel a need to escape. Perhaps you are being emotionally victimised and you feel vulnerable as you did as a child? Your feelings may be running out of control or there's something you're avoiding in your external life or inner self. Do you feel guilt?

2. What am I chasing? If you are doing the chasing, you are probably trying to banish something from your life. You may be frightened by some aspect of yourself or have an anxiety that you may never reach the goals you have set yourself.

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