I've always wondered what it meant to have a dream, usually not a good one, that involved not being able to turn on lights. They are not as common now but they used to be extremely frequent when I was younger. But at times I still have these dreams now.

Usually the dream will start out fine until the power goes out and I try to turn the lights back on and they don't come on. Or I will walk into a dark room or even a dark house or building and will attempt to turn on the lights, but to no avail. Usually it results in something bad happening.

Usually, it repeats a pattern. The lights don't come on after they go out or they just don't come on at all when attempting to turn them on the first time. This is usually a big alarming sign that something bad, usually me being tortured or attacked, will happen.

I may also not be able to yell out for help or may have a scratchy voice as if I had a very sore throat. Also movement will usually be extremely limited or gone completely. Very rarely do I make a successful escape. Just wondered what these kinds of dreams mean.