[lv99atheist]

I used to want to remember my dreams. I spent years collecting, analyzing and maintaining a deep interest in dreams. Then, I went off-and-on about them for a few years. Now, for some reason, all I have are nightmares. I have not had even a halfway pleasant dream for a very long time. I've tried dream incubation -- nothing. If I "give up" I keep having nightmares; if I try to manipulate the dreams, I have nightmares. I have even tried telling myself to "forget" my dreams. Nothing! My sleep is oppressive and vile. Any solutions?

[Perna]

The only way I have been able to influence my dreams in that way is to work on the waking portion of my life, get rid of some anxieties and get more comfortable with day-to-day stuff so there's nothing left to bother me at night. Or, are you on any new medicines or sleep aids, etc.? They can cause nightmares:

List of prescription drugs that can cause nightmares | wkyc.com

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by lv99atheist

I used to want to remember my dreams. I spent years collecting, analyzing and maintaining a deep interest in dreams. Then, I went off-and-on about them for a few years. Now, for some reason, all I have are nightmares. I have not had even a halfway pleasant dream for a very long time. I've tried dream incubation -- nothing. If I "give up" I keep having nightmares; if I try to manipulate the dreams, I have nightmares. I have even tried telling myself to "forget" my dreams. Nothing! My sleep is oppressive and vile. Any solutions?

Same here. I wonder how that happens. My dreams were once a comfort to me, and full of imagery --information--. Now, there are repetitive themes but just a handful, and all result in waking in distress, in the past/or at work, all leave me with a lousy feeling that is hard to shake off. And I have had no changes in meds/other things for a long time....I am thinking it is age, and an accumulation of losses, or maybe since I stopped doing some jobs...maybe I am able to experience the awful feelings I kept at bay...who knows but it really bothers me-----used to enjoy dreams, kept notebooks etcc....all destroyed now. .....
I try to just get up right away and do something to shake off the feelings but it bothers me to know I am doing this.