I was recently in close proximity of a lightening strike during one of the most unusual and intense lightening storms I have ever witnessed last summer. Ever since, I keep having natural disaster nightmares that involve mostly earthquakes where lava flows up from cracks in the ground. I think that they are because I am now afriad of storms, when I never used to be because of the tremendous jolt I received-but how do storms translate into lava and earthquakes? I am very frightened by earthquakes as there is no escape unless you are in the air aboard an airplane. And it seems in these dreams that the lava chases me...it comes up where ever I go and there is seemingly no escape. I have dreamed of almost getting swallowed up by the opening cracks, but I usually escape somehow. These dreams are full of anxiety and I usually wake up in sweat. Then I am always dreaming that I am dying...usually from gun-shot wounds. I don't remember the how, when, why or where most of the time but these too also frequent my dreamtime. I love dreaming, and most of the time my dreams are not full of anxiety unless I dream about being involved with a natural disaster. Any ideas?

Natural Disaster dreams are common. Yours may be linked to lingering uspet connected to terror you experienced during the lightning storm last summer. However, earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanoes, are all common dreams. They can be linked to a sense of emotional upheaval--a perceived emotional disaster that is going on. When you have earthquake or volcano dreams, try linking them to emotional events and stress and what may be upsetting or threatening you emotionally or physically. All interpretations that I provide in this chat are for general information and should not be considered individualized interpretations of an individual?s dreams. Each dream is unique and requires exploration to be understood. Answers from Alan Siegel, Ph.D. www.dreamwisdom.info International Association for the Study of Dreams www.asdreams.org

Thanks Doc! That actually makes a whole lot of sense to me. I have been dealing with a lot of emtional upset during the last six or so months.

It's interesting you have that recurring theme which seems to be dealing with your own mortality. I have similar dreams in which I see myself shot, or am in the mist of a natural disaster where I have to find some way not just to protect myself, but others as well. The dreams are full of anxiety and are extraordinarly vivid. Usually with these dreams, I am up against seemingly impossible cirucumstances and have to find some way to overcome. There is nothing glorious, cavaleir, or theatrical about these dreams. They are very serious, dealing with ultimate curcumstances, and pusing myself to workthrough. There are very few dreams that I have been able to readily recall throughout my life, however these dreams are very easy to remember. They all have the same or similar themes of facing an impossible situation and dealing with these situations on my own. With your situation, are you the type of person who tends to overthink or over analyze or take responsibility upon yourself for many things?

With your situation, are you the type of person who tends to overthink or over analyze or take responsibility upon yourself for many things? << Hummm yes I do tend to over analyze events or my own actions as I drift to sleep...see what I could have done, or could have said, instead of what I did. But I am not one who takes on more responsibility than I can handle. I know when to say no.