What does it mean when you dream about someone crying?

If you recently dreamt about someone crying, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.

So, what does it mean when you dream about someone crying? Likely reasons why you will dream about someone crying are to deal with trauma yourself, or it might not have a meaning and is simply what your subconscious thought about while you were in deep sleep.

There are a number of possible reasons why you might dream about someone crying and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main reason.

What does it mean when you dream about someone crying?

Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.

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)

To play out scenarios

One possible reason why we dream is to play out different scenarios in our heads. It could be the case that you dreamt about someone crying to prepare for the situation where you meet someone who is crying or to prepare for sadness in your own life.

To deal with trauma

Another possible reason why we dream is to help deal with past trauma and it might be the case that you dreamt about someone crying to help deal with your own trauma. This would be more likely if you dreamt about someone you know crying or you dreamt about yourself crying in the past.

To remember things

We might also dream to help solidify memories from our past and it might be the case that you dreamt about someone crying to help solidify a memory of your own. This would be more likely if what you dreamt about actually happened.

Nothing

It could also be the case that the dream had no inherent meaning and it is simply what your subconscious thought about while you were asleep. This would be especially likely if you were struggling to fall asleep or have been stressed lately.

Consider what else happens in the dream

It would help to consider what else happened in the dream. If things happened that actually happened in real life, the cause could be to remember events from your past or to deal with trauma. Whereas, if it does not involve events from your past, it would be more likely to have no meaning or to play out a scenario.

Consider what has happened in your life recently

It would also help to consider things that have happened in your life recently since the dream could be a response to things that have happened to you recently. For example, if someone died recently, it might be your brain’s way of helping you to deal with the trauma.

Consider recent lifestyle changes

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.

What does crying mean in a dream?

Crying in a dream can mean sadness and crying can often be a part of your brain’s way of helping you to deal with trauma in a dream.