[alannuhh]

My friend has been having the same dream for about ten years. This dream is involves his father leaving him like he did when he was younger and he always wakes up crying. He doesn't get much sleep because he said he is tired of always having that dream and waking up crying and I get worried about him because not getting enough sleep is bad for your mental and physical health. Is there anything he can do to stop having this dream?

[Travelinglady]

Hi, alannuhh, and welcome to Psych Central! Since he has had this same dream over all these years and cries as a result, I think he should talk to a therapist. They help people to get over such issues. (And it does not mean that your friend has a mental illness! Folks go to therapists for all sorts of reasons.) He is still really hurting from that loss, and yes, needs to get a good night's sleep.

Thanks for being such a caring friend. If he won't go along with seeing a therapist, then tell him to go to a regular doctor and tell him/her about not being able to sleep and specifically why. Okay?