1. They aren’t literal.
Researchers agree that most nightmares are caused by anxiety, but they’re rarely a literal interpretation of what’s bothering you.
A small study by researchers at Tufts University looked at dreams and nightmares after the 9/11 attacks; their theory was that the events produced at least some level of trauma to everyone in the United States.
While all the subjects (none of whom were directly affected by the attacks) reported a marked increase in intense or vivid dreams and nightmares, none of them dreamed specifically about the Twin Towers, the planes, or even about tall buildings falling, despite the images being played over and over on TV.