I often go long stretches of time without dreaming at all. However once a year or a maximum of twice a year, i see a massive nightmare. I carry the feeling of fear and hurt and grief in my body but i never retain the details or motifs of the sleep. What could be the reason that i never remember dreams? how could i prepare myself to deal with these periods better? I have been reading many psychology texts (currently: Psychological Science) but it is of no avail 

Many people think they “don’t dream,” but dreams usually occur every night during REM sleep. The issue is often dream recall, not dreaming itself. If you wake during deep sleep or move quickly into activity, memories fade. Stress, sleep quality, and individual differences in memory also matter. Rare intense nightmares may relate to stress processing. Keeping a bedside journal, waking slowly, improving sleep habits, and practicing relaxation can help you cope and remember more dreams.