My nightmares seem cyclic. Mostly, though, if I dream, I nightmare. I've had to move my bed to the middle of the room to keep from lashing out with my legs and arms and hitting something. I've stopped wondering why, as my Psych can't explain. She offers support, though, which helps.
Years ago, though, I practiced 'lucid dreaming', where I could control my dreams and act within them. Plenty of info online, but, check with your Psychiatrist as it could be dangerous within a fragile mental health situation.
If you don't have a psychiatrist, get one.......there are therapies for dream disorders....'lucid dreaming' only one.
As for my nightmares.....I'm experienced enough to know what they are....how they can't hurt me.....how Sci-fi they are sometimes, and sometimes MMA, and sometimes horror. Fear is a big issue, and I can usually can control it by waking.
The fear of falling seems to be prevelent. They say if you hit the ground you die....not true......I've hit the ground and gone right through to bouncing in an alien landscape of wonder.
It may not have been the best solution, but sometimes I'll go to MMA mode, where I will confront my fear with violence. I've been trying to avoid this because I lash out and awake with a violent kick or punch. I sleep alone so thats good.
I'm not trying to make light of the situation....but if you just realize that a dream is only what it is...............
It may or may not have to do with everyday life.....
Lay your head down at night and confront the video game we all have between our ears.
Look into it....seek knowledge rather than fear.........
Y