These are the
reverse situation of the standard
nightmare ( where you
dream that something
scary or
horrible has happened to you, and wake up
horrified and
upset - and then realise
it was only a dream and
everything is
OK really.
)
Reverse
nightmares describe the
scenario where something horrible has happened or is happening to you in
real life, and you dream that it didnt happen or that
it all worked out OK,
and wake up
comforted and
relieved - until you realise that
it was only a dream and things are
most definitely not ok.
This is a
common device used in
cheap horror flicks and leads to
dialogue such as
:
Girl: “ Oh
Mom!,
Dad! I had such a
horrible dream....”
Mom: “ Im sorry Janey - I dont know how to tell you this - but
this is the dream. You are still trapped in that cabin in the forest, being
stalked by that knife wielding
psychopath”
A more real-life example is when you have recently
broken up with someone whom you cared
deeply about and you keep dreaming that you worked it all out and were back together - only to wake up
alone and reaching for her hand.