Talk about a nightmare: People who dream about killing someone are more likely to be aggressive when they’re awake, finds new research from Germany.
In the study, the young men who copped to make-believe murdering at least once scored higher on measures of hostility, meaning they were more likely to be short-tempered or have the urge to hurt someone while they’re raging out.
“These dreams depict exaggerations of emotions we experience in the waking state,” says study author Michael Schredl, Ph.D.
(Use our decoder to break down What Your Dreams Say about You for other common subconscious themes.)
Guys with deadly dreams also scored lower in agreeableness—how trusting, warm, and cooperative you are—and higher in introversion. That might be because people who are introverted tend to keep aggressive feelings to themselves rather than sparking an argument. These suppressed thoughts might become reflected in their dreams, the researchers say.
You don’t need to worry if you’ve been a killer a couple times in your sleep. But if it becomes a recurring thing, Schredl says your dreams are sending you a message: You need to learn how to deal with your aggressive emotions in everyday life. Talk to your doc about finding a professional who can help you work through your problems.
Courtesy by CHRISTA SGOBBA (Menshealth)
In the study, the young men who copped to make-believe murdering at least once scored higher on measures of hostility, meaning they were more likely to be short-tempered or have the urge to hurt someone while they’re raging out.
“These dreams depict exaggerations of emotions we experience in the waking state,” says study author Michael Schredl, Ph.D.
(Use our decoder to break down What Your Dreams Say about You for other common subconscious themes.)
Guys with deadly dreams also scored lower in agreeableness—how trusting, warm, and cooperative you are—and higher in introversion. That might be because people who are introverted tend to keep aggressive feelings to themselves rather than sparking an argument. These suppressed thoughts might become reflected in their dreams, the researchers say.
You don’t need to worry if you’ve been a killer a couple times in your sleep. But if it becomes a recurring thing, Schredl says your dreams are sending you a message: You need to learn how to deal with your aggressive emotions in everyday life. Talk to your doc about finding a professional who can help you work through your problems.
Courtesy by CHRISTA SGOBBA (Menshealth)