Reflective Dream Essay: Analysis of Own Dream

There has been a significant amount of research conducted on the topic of dream analysis by various theorists. Dreams are difficult to measure or scientifically test as they are part of our subconscious. This may be due to inaccurate recall, lack of clarity in the dreaming process itself, difficulties in understanding meaning of images in waking state, and difficulty making sense when juxtaposing two different mental states (Fosshage, 2000). Dreamed events are incredibly powerful, even when unpleasant are still perceived to be more meaningful than similar conscious thoughts, and can be perceived to provide information as important as similar real world events (Morewedge & Norton, 2009). The various theories formulated on dream interpretation can allow us to understand and interpret our own dreams. Freud’s theory has made a significant influence on the research of dreams and contributed to its rise in popularity which remains today. He proposed that the dream can represent a wish as fulfilled (Freud, 1900/1976). Although there are theorists who agree with Freud’s notion that dreams are the ‘royal road to the unconscious’, there are other theorists who disagree. In this essay, I will use my own dream to utilise the application of Freud’s theory, discuss its limitations and possible wider applications to his theory in the therapeutic process.

My dream involves my boyfriend, Royce, being unfaithful. This dream is a recurring one around every fortnight and minor details vary each time. It is daytime in this dream and I am usually at an outdoor event with my boyfriend’s group of friends. During this outing, Royce will neglect me and give his full attention to one of the girls among the group of friends. The girl to which his attention is fixed on varies every dream. I will witness him being affectionate with a girl and not attending to me whatsoever. I am not able to recall all the different girls I have dreamt of him being with, however, I do remember one clearly,