Meaning when someone from your past appears in your dreams

If someone from your past keeps appearing in your dreams, this post will show you likely reasons why and what would make them more likely.

So, what does it mean when someone from your past keeps appearing in your dreams? Likely reasons why someone from your past keeps appearing in your dreams are because it is your brain’s way of helping you deal with trauma or to help you remember important memories.

There are a number of possible reasons why someone from your past will appear in your dreams but there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause.

What does it mean when someone from your past appears in your dreams?

Purpose of dreams

It is thought that dreams are usually based on recent conversations, activities or other issues in your life. Dreams can function to help us get through trauma, to prepare ourselves to deal with threats, and to ensure that we do not forget important memories. (source)

Why someone might appear in your dreams

Below are reasons why someone might appear in your dreams.

To deal with trauma

As mentioned above, one purpose of dreams is to help deal with trauma. The reason why this person has been appearing in your dreams could be that it is your brain‘s method of helping you deal with trauma. This would be more likely if you had some form of a traumatic experience involving this person in the past or if you had a strong emotional connection with them.

To remember important memories

Another possible reason why this person has been appearing in your dreams is that your brain is trying to help you to remember them or an event that involved them. This would be more likely if the person was an important person in your life and if you shared important experiences with them.

Consider the type of relationship you had with the person

It would help to consider the type of relationship that you had with this person. If they were a close friend or a member of your family, it would be more likely that it is your brain’s way of ensuring that you do not forget about them or experience that you gained with them. Whereas, if it was a person that you did not know very well, it might be the case that the cause is to remember an experience that they were involved with or to remember to be cautious of certain people.

Consider what has been happening in your life recently

It would also help to consider what has happened in your life recently. It could be the case that you have been dreaming about this person because of a recent event. This would be more likely if they were involved with something that you are missing such as a close friend.

Consider if you have been stressed lately

Dreams occur most when we are in REM sleep which is the deep sleep stage where our brain is supposed to be the least active. If you have been able to recall your dreams easily, it might be a sign that you have been having problems in your life lately. Causes could include not sleeping enough, getting stressed or anxious or getting less exercise.

Is it true that when someone appears in your dreams they miss you?

If someone appears in your dream, it does not necessarily mean that the person misses you and this does not have a scientific basis.

What does it mean when you dream about someone you no longer talk to?

Possible reasons why you will dream about someone you no longer talk to are that your brain is trying to ensure that you do not forget them or because they were involved in an event that your brain does not want you to forget.

What does it mean when the same person keeps appearing in your dreams?

Likely reasons why the same person will keep appearing in your dreams are that they were involved in an important event in your life, your brain wants you to remember them or because your brain is trying to warn you about people similar to them.

Why does an old friend keep appearing in my dreams?

Likely reasons why an old friend will keep appearing in your dreams are that they were an important part of your life and your brain does not want you to forget about them.