I frequently have dreams that I am being chased by strange older men. They are never running after me, but I am always running away. They are just walking. I always get to the my house, or a safe place to hide, and when I try to close the door, the door knob will fall off, or it won’t lock, close, etc. And the man is aproaching.

My family members, or close friends, usually are in the room, and do nothing to help me. I scream for assistance, but they all sit around like nothing is going on.

I have been having these same dreams for years, and they are never the same, and neither is the man, or person trying to get me. It really freaks me out and I wish I knew what it was all about.

—Heather, Age 16, Female, Kingman, AZ, USA

Hi Heather—

You’re being chased! And none of your friends, or family members, seem to notice that you need help! (What kind of “friends” are they?)

Chase dreams are pretty common. If you ask your friends, I’ll bet that nearly every one has had one.

Usually chase dreams mean that we are “running from” or “trying to avoid” difficult feelings or awarenesses inside us. For example, if our parents are fighting and arguing a lot, we may want to avoid the disturbing thought that maybe one day they will decide to get a divorce, and split up our family. In a dream, this fear might be represented as a monster, that kept chasing us no matter what we did to get away.

The only thing that is consistent in your dreams (besides you being chased) is that this “monster” is an older man. Can you think of anyone specifically in your life right now (an older male) who bugs you - or who you think is a little bit creepy? Your dream also may be reflecting unwanted feelings of attention by older men, who are beginning to look at you sexually. You’d like these “unwanted advances” to go away - but they seem to “just keep coming.”

In your dream, you yell for help from your family and friends, but no one seems to notice. What’s the message? You’re feeling alone in your fears right now.

Have you considered talking with your friends about your feelings, and this dream, and letting them know whatever creepy feelings you have—that might be bugging you? We all get “chased” by our fears sometimes. But if you want to make these dreams go away, you have to identify the issues that they represent, and stand your ground in real life!

The Dream Doctor’s advice? Talk to your friends! You’re not alone!