Dream a Little Dream

Most of us in our lifetime have been affected by a particular dream that stays with us, whether it is because of fear, joy or just the absurdity of the experience. Local seniors who have been touched by a variety of dream scenarios traveled to the Arnold Senior Activity Center this past week to seek out possible explanations and interpretations.

The dream seminar was led by Iris Conrad, an Annapolis psychotherapist and Jungian analyst, who has researched and been trained in the dream theories of Carl Jung.

“Carl Jung based his life and theories on his dreams,” Conrad said. “Dreams tend to compensate for what is happening in daily life. Dreams add to experiences of daily living and present the other side of what is going on in the psyche, like a play or drama that gives us a different or opposite view of ourselves.”

Conrad holds a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. In addition to her social work training, Conrad is a Zurich-trained Jungian analyst experienced in working with individuals who are seeking healing, wholeness and well-being. 

The seminar attendees offered up a variety of dreams, with some suffering from repeated nightmares to others who were simply visited by friends or family members that had already passed away.

A stranger who invoked a sense of danger was a popular dream that most in the seminar had experienced.

“Sometimes it will mean you are afraid of being alone, or it could be a part of your psyche that is simply trying to get your attention,” said Conrad. “When you wake, talk to them and ask them what they want.”

As for those who felt as though they were visited by deceased loved ones, the meaning depended on what that person represented in a dreamer’s life.

“For some who see either a mother or former caretaker, it means your psyche is telling you to take better care of yourself,” explained Conrad. “For others, it may mean that you are needing to let a part of your past go and move on.” 

Medications are a very important part of how much a person dreams. “If you are having vivid dreams every night, medications may be playing a role,” said Conrad. “They can make your brain work overtime. It is a side effect to talk to your doctor about.” 

For more information on Conrad and her work, go to www.irisconrad.com.