Adolescent dreams

p ADOLESCENT DREAMS The interpretation of dreams , initiated by Sigmund Freud , is mainly based on three streams of though which are categorically identified as the conscious , preconscious and unconscious minds . Such s provided a means in addressing the processes that are involved in the proper functioning of the brain , including memory and forgetfulness (Lehtonen , 2002 . The investigations on brain processes in association with dreams and their interpretation has long been an interest of psychoanalysts , as well as neurobiologists . With the current technology in brain imaging , the abilities to monitor and manipulate brain activity

br during sleeping and dreaming states are now possible , advancing the earlier work of Sigmund Freud . Such massive efforts to collect more information on dream states may provide a better understanding of the mental behavior of individuals

In the entitled On Dreams During Adolescence ' the biological cognitive and social aspects of dreams are discussed in the context of a developing brain , such as that in adolescents . The interpretation and frequency of dreams among adolescents may reflect a significantly different meaning than dreams that occur during early childhood or adulthood . Several researches have confirmed that hypothesis that dreaming is an important physiological process that provides a means for the brain to process daily events and activities (Cartwright , 2004 Any disruptions in the sleep processes often results in the alteration of the normal functioning of the brain , such as memory , decision-making and mental choices for daily routine activities . In addition , the use of sleep-inducing drugs also alters the normal brain physiology resulting in random outbursts of anger and angst among patients

In addition to differences in the dream content among adolescents in general , there are also differences among the genders of the adolescents . Such sex-specific and age-specific features of dreaming provide a mechanism for the brain to adapt to specific environmental and biological settings that their bodies carry . To date , there is converging evidence that dreaming is an essential part of sleep and it serves as a kind of memory reprocessing during states when the rest of the body is resting (Reiser , 2001 . Dreaming generally involves learning at the subconscious state , as well as performing memory processing . Current research on sleep and memory provides additional information on the understanding of dreams within different ages including adolescents . To date , it has been determined that dreaming is involved with active representation , connection and relocation of information within the brain (Gais and Born , 2004 . Such processes strongly influence the behavior of an individual during his waking hours

Neurological studies have shown that dreams are actively being transported to the neocortex during neural transmission of the hippocampus , and that the waking behavior of an individual is generally a result of a mixture of both old and new information that have been stored in brain (Fell et al , 2006 . Adolescents have an active growth of bodily organs as well as upsurges in hormonal levels , hence their dreams are uniquely a representation of their developmental stage . The consolidation of old information and new or recent information...