multiple nightmares every night consistently for the past couple weeks... help?

I've been having vivid, terrifying dreams that eventually wake me up in fear (usually when I am about to die for this or that reason in each nightmare) and with my heart beating fast and a tight pain in my chest. I have nightmares often (at least once a week or every other week) throughout my life, but recently I've been having multiple nightmares every night. Sometimes the nightmares also continue if I go back to sleep too soon after waking up from it, and I would have to wake up again and again and keep myself awake for a few minutes to think about other things before going back to sleep in peace.

For example, last night I had three separate nightmares, so I woke up multiple times in fear in the middle of the night. The first one I already forgot , the second was about a tsunami, and the third was a zombie apocalypse.

I don't take any medication and I don't drink/do drugs.

I need to know the cause of these constant nightmares every night and how to stop them. I want to sleep well. I realized that I'm becoming more and more anxious and a tendency for depressed feelings during the days, and I'm assuming it's because of this (or is it the other way around?).

hi caykuu
I know when I have my tsumani dreams it is because I am overwhelmed in life. as you said you have been anxious and depressed so this is probably playing out in your dreams. are you in counseling? perhaps trying some relaxation exercising, meditation before going to sleep would help. maybe get yourself a guided meditation cd to listen to. welcome to psych central. you will find we have several forums where you can post about your concerns and receive feedback from other members. you will get a lot of support here. again, welcome