Thirteen months ago, circumstances brought me home to my parents, away from my friends and work. It also created a lot of stress in my life, creating a traumatic situation. All this turmoil led to the end of my 11-month romance. Since then, I dream of my ex-boyfriend constantly (he left me, so this makes sense to me), and in every dream he and I reunite. In each dream, he comes back to me and we resolve the problems that erupted when I was acting like a basketcase.

I have been doing really well lately, but he has told mutual friends that he does not want to discuss me or, even, be in a room with me. He’s not seeing anyone.

Are my nightly recurring dreams of intense reunions simply wishful thinking or my subconscious “begging me” to seek reconciliation? I don’t know if it’s relevant, but these dreams always feature all the friends we shared while we were together, along with (and I know this is weird) deer.

Any ideas? Am I just eating weird things before bed?

- Anonymous, Age 21, USA

Hi Anonymous -

It's common to want someone back, especially after you feel badly about a breakup. Now that you are back on your feet after a difficult time, your dreams are making you wonder - Are you and your ex are about to get back together?

Your dreams appear to be obvious signs that you want him back. Several clues contained in your dreams, however, indicate otherwise. For example, it is significant that the friends you shared while dating always are present in these dreams. What is the meaning? Like your boyfriend, your friends also witnessed your "tough times." Accordingly, your recurring dreams of reunion (in front of your friend's approving eyes), reflect needs for approval and acknowledgment, rather than romance. In other words - you would like your friends and your ex to recognize that you're OK, and that you're not a "basket case" anymore!

Your dream isn't a sign that you actually want to date your ex again. Instead, your dream is strong signal that, after a difficult period, you are ready to show the world that you have grown and changed, and learned from your experience. If you're looking for love (and this dream shows that you are) the Dream Doctor's advice is to look to the future, and not to the past. Perhaps, in the future, you will choose a partner with more "staying power?"