[Blue_Bird]

Does anyone here know what causes nightmares? I haven't had any trauma in my life, do not have ptsd, but I keep having graphic and bloody dreams about people coming after me and killing me. Is there anything I can do to stop this, should I tell my doctor? I thought it may be from a medication I'm taking and posted about it in the Psychiatric Medications forum, but people don't seem to have that experience with it. Could it just be anxiety? I just started college on Monday but it's been going on longer than that.

[anisepower]

Are the nightmares always the same thing (bloody scenes, people chasing you)?
Dreams (and nightmares) are often caused by the subconscious; things including emotions or stress. You won't often realise the things you hold in your subconscious until you dream them.
In my experience, dreams of death and being chased are caused by stress and anxiety. But that's just me. You'd have to remember when the nightmares started and see if there was any event that happened before that or around that time that might be the cause. Or perhaps your medication really is the cause? Not all medications affect each person equally.