![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 36. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 6:37:41
Hi. Today I had a scary dream. I dreamt my mood disorder got me in trouble with the law and we were dealing with a cop and my father was there and so was my mother. (In real life my mother doesn't know about my mood disorder - I keep it a closely guarded secret.) Anyway, my criminal problems seem to have had something to do with a kitchen timer in the shape of a penguin - you set it by turning the penguin's head! Arent' dreams weird? :) And the cop couldn't figure out how to set it. Silly though it was, the feeling of menace was real, the feeling I'd done something terribly wrong and didn't know how or what. Great way to start the day. Thanks for listening.
Emme
Posted by Kar on May 7, 2003, at 7:50:47
In reply to Bad dream, posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 6:37:41
hey Emme. Fascinating dream. Stress and guilt and pressure. Definitely. That's what mine are like. But it's always nice to add a little nutty tidbit in there. Even if it isn't funny at the time...a penguin eggtimer? I like the visual of the cop cocking his head at it and turning it upside down repeatedly. My take on the "timer" part of it is that you're worried about some kind of deadline? Something like that?
I just do this for fun althogh I DO admit to owning a dream book.
But it was a gift.I dream about the depression a lot. The dreams are very real. If I'm doing well I sometimes dream that I've "dipped"...same frustration and knot in the stomach about it happening again. I've even switched meds in dreams! On the flipside, I've dreamt that i've cycled out of a current dip and everything is rosy again. And then I wake up!!!! Grr.
My husband reports that he just dreamt that he was given a backgammon board that used mini filet-o-fish for pieces! So when you win someone's piece you eat it! Goofball. I don't even know where to start with that one.One more thing. According to my handy dandy little, getting arrested or in trouble with the law symbolizes that the dreamer will experience sadness followed by joy! Sounds good, hmm?
Please use the timer attached to the oven from now on and watch your speed on the highway.
Karen
Posted by lostsailor on May 7, 2003, at 8:26:03
In reply to Let's zee...vaht eez the meaning of thees dleam... » Emme, posted by Kar on May 7, 2003, at 7:50:47
At times, this sounds sad I know, I think I live to get into dreamland. I hardly ever panic, I giggle with old friends and "solve" mysteries, like these
I read Freud's "The interpretation of dreams" long ago, but found it a bit dull and whimsical.
I was stunned by some of the latent sexual stuff , too.Now, though, I consult with him in person and you can too if you go here:
http://www.chunkymonkey.com/sigmond/sigmond.htm
in slumber,
~tony
Posted by leeran on May 7, 2003, at 14:43:07
In reply to Bad dream, posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 6:37:41
Hmmmm as well. I love trying to interpret my own dreams. If I relay the dream to my husband I usually have one of those big "a-ha" moments when the symbolism comes through loud and clear in my verbal remembrance.
My total amateur take on your penguin/cop dream is that you're possibly nervous about your mother finding out about your mood disorder (which is what you mentioned in your post) and you equate her possible reaction to the news of finding out about something you've guarded so carefully as the equivalent of being brought up on charges by a law enforcement officer.
The penguin had me stumped . . . but then I thought - hmmmmm, penguins, cold/icy places, timers . . .
Perhaps you're subliminally afraid that your mother would treat you icily/coldly if she were to find out about something you've made the conscious decision to keep to yourself. Maybe the timer indicates that you're afraid it's a "matter of time" until she finds out.
The head of the penguin turning around - could it indicate that someone needs to "come around" to an idea or situation?
Just random thoughts. I love dreams and haven't been having as many since taking Ambien - sorry to horn in on yours!
Do you ever have those dreams that stick with you all day? For me, they can be good dreams or bad, but typically negative, and there will be mini-flashbacks to the dream throughout the day.
My husband has gotten up in the middle of the night to try a solution to a programming problem that he's kind of worked out in his sleep. I wish my dreams were that efficient! My dreams are often Dali-like portraits of anxiety that involve public restrooms.
Regardless, I hope you feel better. Just typing it out (as you did) might help exorcise the "dreamon."
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 7, 2003, at 15:01:36
In reply to Re: Bad dream » Emme, posted by leeran on May 7, 2003, at 14:43:07
I used to be able to jump about as high as a light pole in my dreams, but now when I jump, I just keep sailing upward, probably a thousand feet or so (the view and the sensation are great!), before I come falling back down, slowing down just before I land on my feet again.
Posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 19:40:41
In reply to Let's zee...vaht eez the meaning of thees dleam... » Emme, posted by Kar on May 7, 2003, at 7:50:47
Yah, stress und guilt und pressure. :( I like your book's interpretation though. I'll start keeping my fingers crossed for the joy.
Oh, and just for further comic relief, the penguin timer was about a foot tall. Maybe there's some violent undertones to having to set the timer by turning its head.....hmmmm...
Emme
> hey Emme. Fascinating dream. Stress and guilt and pressure. Definitely. That's what mine are like. But it's always nice to add a little nutty tidbit in there. Even if it isn't funny at the time...a penguin eggtimer? I like the visual of the cop cocking his head at it and turning it upside down repeatedly. My take on the "timer" part of it is that you're worried about some kind of deadline? Something like that?
>
> I just do this for fun althogh I DO admit to owning a dream book.
> But it was a gift.
>
> I dream about the depression a lot. The dreams are very real. If I'm doing well I sometimes dream that I've "dipped"...same frustration and knot in the stomach about it happening again. I've even switched meds in dreams! On the flipside, I've dreamt that i've cycled out of a current dip and everything is rosy again. And then I wake up!!!! Grr.
> My husband reports that he just dreamt that he was given a backgammon board that used mini filet-o-fish for pieces! So when you win someone's piece you eat it! Goofball. I don't even know where to start with that one.
>
> One more thing. According to my handy dandy little, getting arrested or in trouble with the law symbolizes that the dreamer will experience sadness followed by joy! Sounds good, hmm?
>
> Please use the timer attached to the oven from now on and watch your speed on the highway.
> Karen
>
Posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 19:50:54
In reply to Re: Bad dream » Emme, posted by leeran on May 7, 2003, at 14:43:07
Howdy,
> My total amateur take on your penguin/cop dream is that you're possibly nervous about your mother finding out about your mood disorder (which is what you mentioned in your post)
> and you equate her possible reaction to the news of finding out about something you've guarded so carefully as the equivalent of being brought up on charges by a law enforcement officer.Not a bad interpreatation. Her entrance into the situation definitely made the dream more scary. Also, my life is in some disarray at the moment and I expect everyone pass judgment on me. So I feel some guilt.
> The penguin had me stumped...
> Perhaps you're subliminally afraid that your mother would treat you icily/coldly if she were to find out about something you've made the conscious decision to keep to yourself.Well....I think the penguin was just a cute bird.
> Maybe the timer indicates that you're afraid it's a "matter of time" until she finds out.
Could be. Time is an issue for me on a number of levels. Or, I was just thinking about how mundane a timer is. In the dream I'm in trouble over an ordinary household item...
> Just random thoughts. I love dreams and haven't been having as many since taking Ambien - sorry to horn in on yours!Oh, you're not horning in! I put it out there after all. It's fun to see what everyone thinks.
> Do you ever have those dreams that stick with you all day?Sometimes bad ones set the tone for the day. Yucko.
> My husband has gotten up in the middle of the night to try a solution to a programming problem that he's kind of worked out in his sleep. I wish my dreams were that efficient! My dreams are often Dali-like portraits of anxiety that involve public restrooms.Public restrooms? Where's Karen and her dream book....?
> Regardless, I hope you feel better.
Thanks.
Emme
Posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 21:46:52
In reply to emme, Kar dreams, posted by lostsailor on May 7, 2003, at 8:26:03
Hi Tony,
> At times, this sounds sad I know, I think I live to get into dreamland. I hardly ever panic, I giggle with old friends and "solve" mysteries, like these
That reminds me of a song by Jonathan Edwards called "Sometimes". In the last verse he says that sometimes in the mornings he goes back to sleep trying to keep his memories in motion. I think sometimes sleep is the preferable place to be.
> I read Freud's "The interpretation of dreams" long ago, but found it a bit dull and whimsical.
> I was stunned by some of the latent sexual stuff , too.
>
> Now, though, I consult with him in person and you can too if you go here:
>
> http://www.chunkymonkey.com/sigmond/sigmond.htm
Heh, I *like* it! And I always did like Chunky Monkey.Emme
Posted by Kar on May 8, 2003, at 13:00:24
In reply to Re: Bad dream » leeran, posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 19:50:54
> Public restrooms? Where's Karen and her dream book....?
Ah here she is, but alas, she has no answers. Ask an Eight Ball maybe. I'm a tad weirded out though...my sister has bathroom dreams...overflowing, doors coming open and people walking by, etc. i tried to look it up to no avail!I've got it with the penguin though! Penguin suit= a tuxedo, right? So there you have it Emme. Looking for love? He's on his way with his tux, brains, money and sense of humor. Cuz penguins are funny you know. Hmmm. smart?
i know I came back late but i just had to share my penguin breakthrough...
Posted by Emme on May 8, 2003, at 22:21:40
In reply to Potties and penguins, posted by Kar on May 8, 2003, at 13:00:24
> I've got it with the penguin though! Penguin suit= a tuxedo, right? So there you have it Emme. Looking for love? He's on his way with his tux, brains, money and sense of humor. Cuz penguins are funny you know. Hmmm. smart?He sounds like quite a catch! ;) This dream is lots more interesting than my last several fortune cookies.
Emme
Posted by noa on May 10, 2003, at 18:10:49
In reply to Re: Bad dream » Emme, posted by leeran on May 7, 2003, at 14:43:07
>The penguin had me stumped . . . but then I thought - hmmmmm, penguins, cold/icy places, timers . . .
More armchair dream analysis here--aren't timers and clocks supposed to represent mothers? Because mothers are the regulators, of time and otherwise, of infants and children? I guess I also think of the ticking as related to hearbeat, like when you put a ticking clock into a puppy's bed to replicated its mother's heartbeat.
Posted by noa on May 10, 2003, at 18:12:27
In reply to Re: Bad dream, posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 7, 2003, at 15:01:36
I haven't had a flying dream in a long time! I love them, except that sometimes they are also a combo of the lovely feeling of flying as well as the fear that the flying ability will end and I'll fall.
But I did have that light, floaty, fleet-of-foot running dream last month. That felt nice.
Posted by noa on May 10, 2003, at 18:15:14
In reply to Re: Bad dream » leeran, posted by Emme on May 7, 2003, at 19:50:54
> My husband has gotten up in the middle of the night to try a solution to a programming problem that he's kind of worked out in his sleep. I wish my dreams were that efficient! My dreams are often Dali-like portraits of anxiety that involve public restrooms
Me too. Sometimes when I have to pee, I'll dream (just before waking) that I am looking for a place to go. Sometimes it will be in public restrooms, sometimes in bathrooms in a home. But often very frustrating--searching for an adequate one, as all manner of inadequacy turns up!
Posted by leeran on May 10, 2003, at 19:51:04
In reply to Re: Bad dream, posted by noa on May 10, 2003, at 18:15:14
"Me too. Sometimes when I have to pee, I'll dream (just before waking) that I am looking for a place to go. Sometimes it will be in public restrooms, sometimes in bathrooms in a home. But often very frustrating--searching for an adequate one, as all manner of inadequacy turns up!"
Oh how I hate these dreams. I once read that the body/mind will do anything possible to try to stay asleep, thus (I suppose), dreams like this!
I have so many disgusting public restroom dreams. Also, shopping center dreams.
With Ambien my sleep is much more sound and (knock on wood) less troubled (i.e. nightmares). My husband says I have occasionally woken him with what he calls a "keening sound." Perhaps I'm just keen on going to the bathroom!
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who wanders through dank public restrooms in my dreams . . . maybe we'll run into each other sometime :-)
Posted by fallsfall on May 10, 2003, at 20:13:17
In reply to Re: Bad dream » noa, posted by leeran on May 10, 2003, at 19:51:04
I find disgusting public bathrooms in my dreams, too! There must be a lot of bathrooms in dreamland.
Posted by leeran on May 10, 2003, at 20:21:33
In reply to Re: Bad Bathrooms, posted by fallsfall on May 10, 2003, at 20:13:17
"Bad Bathrooms in Dreamland" (surely this should be a book title?)
I know I've "visited" far worse bathrooms in my dream state than I ever have in real life (i.e. sometimes they are overflowing, other times the stall door only comes up halfway so I know I can be watched, etc.). I really thought it was some kind of leftover anxiety from being potty trained by nine months of age, but I guess "bad bathrooms" are a recurring dream theme with some people!
Posted by Dinah on May 10, 2003, at 20:52:40
In reply to Re: Bad Bathrooms » fallsfall, posted by leeran on May 10, 2003, at 20:21:33
That's a bad dream I've been able to avoid... until now that is! :P
Posted by Snoozy on May 11, 2003, at 1:24:03
In reply to Re: Bad Bathrooms, posted by fallsfall on May 10, 2003, at 20:13:17
I can't remember if I've ever had a dream about a nightmare bathroom, but if so it's a rare occurrence. Well, it looks like I've got something to be thankful for!!
I'm wondering if any of you with the bad bathroom dreams have ever seen the movie Trainspotting? There's a quite memborable scene with "the worst toilet in Scotland" :)
Posted by leeran on May 11, 2003, at 1:44:22
In reply to Re: Bad Bathroom Dreamers, posted by Snoozy on May 11, 2003, at 1:24:03
I think I did see that movie. Isn't that the movie about the heroin addicts? As I recall it is a very gross scene and I hid my eyes.
Of course, there's also the bathroom death scene in "Lenny." And Elvis supposedly died during a failed attempt to go to the bathroom in the master suite at Graceland. If Lexapro had been around back then I would have sworn he was on it and hadn't been taking the requisite Metamucil.
Posted by noa on May 11, 2003, at 11:54:52
In reply to Re: Bad Bathrooms » fallsfall, posted by leeran on May 10, 2003, at 20:21:33
For me, they are directly related to the bodily sensation of having to go, but not finding relief because I am still asleep, not in my bathroom where my bladder wants me to be. So all the obstacles--the filthy bathrooms, the overflowing ones (like my bladder seems to be about to do in these dreams), the stalls with out doors, the stall doors that are stuck, or finding a toilet and sitting down only to discover it is just a mere chair, not a toilet, so it is useless--all of these are trying to solve the problem while still being asleep, having to go so badly, but also "knowing" I can't go in bed.
The dreams also speak to a problem I have while awake---since I can never be too far from a bathroom because my meds cause urinary urgency.
These dreams may seem a bit bizarre, and I guess the vivid imagery is due to the AD meds, as well, but if you think about it, they aren't such a big deal. The REAL problem dream would be the one where I DO find an adequate toilet!!
Posted by fallsfall on May 11, 2003, at 14:02:59
In reply to Re: Bad Bathrooms, posted by noa on May 11, 2003, at 11:54:52
I had these dreams long before I was on ANY medication, so, at least for me, they aren't medication related.
I find your description very accurate!! I tend to see toilets overflowed so there is no place to walk, many unflushed/unflushable toilets, and toilets I wouldn't sit on for anything. These bathrooms also tend to be huge (mazelike).
But yes, noa, you are correct. We would be in trouble if we found a place we could go.
P.S. Dinah, my guess is that you don't sleep as soundly as we do, so you wake up before you are so desperate that you resort to your dreams.
Posted by Snoozy on May 11, 2003, at 14:39:28
In reply to Re: Bad Bathroom Dreamers » Snoozy, posted by leeran on May 11, 2003, at 1:44:22
Yes, the charming light-hearted romantic comedy about heroin addicts in Scotland ;) How anyone can say that movie glamorizes drugs is beyond me. I had a harder time with the scenes with the needles (I'm totally squeamish about those things).
I shudder when I think of what drugs Elvis must have been on. Have you seen the photo of him with Nixon, and I think he was getting an honorary narcotics bureau badge? I know he asked for one - he wanted to help fight the war on narcotics. I wonder what he thought he was taking, like they're not drugs if you get them from a doctor maybe?
At any rate, I sure hope I don't make my exit that way!
> I think I did see that movie. Isn't that the movie about the heroin addicts? As I recall it is a very gross scene and I hid my eyes.
>
> Of course, there's also the bathroom death scene in "Lenny." And Elvis supposedly died during a failed attempt to go to the bathroom in the master suite at Graceland. If Lexapro had been around back then I would have sworn he was on it and hadn't been taking the requisite Metamucil.
>
>
>
>
Posted by Kar on May 11, 2003, at 17:33:01
In reply to Re: Bad Bathroom Dreamers » leeran, posted by Snoozy on May 11, 2003, at 14:39:28
That movie was the sh**!
I mean, it kicked a**!
It made me pee in my pants with laughter...
I mean, yeah damn good movie.
I'm a dumb little pun maker today.
Posted by Kar on May 11, 2003, at 17:38:38
In reply to Re: Bad Bathrooms, posted by noa on May 11, 2003, at 11:54:52
>having to go so badly, but also "knowing" I can't go in bed.
Um, TMI, but at least your brain "knows".
Trust me; you don't ever want to finally "find" a toilet.
It happened once, ok? It's not an ongoing problem!
My sister adn i coined the term "bladder brain". We are convinced that sitting atop the bladder is a tiny tiny brain that senses when you are VERY close but not quite in the bathroom, stall, house...whatever. And you seem to have to go so much more!
Wait a minute, I'm changing this thread to all potty and no more dreams...
Posted by gabbix2 on May 11, 2003, at 18:55:28
In reply to Potties and penguins, posted by Kar on May 8, 2003, at 13:00:24
Those are my only recurring dreams and I have them a lot They're awful. I'm in a grey wet public bathroom with a sticky damp floor and I have bare feet, I'm always trying to find a way out and the walls are covered with..it and the toilets are overflowing, everywhere I go I just find one in a worse condition.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.