Dreams: their function in health and illness

Despite centuries of published theory and research, general agreement on the nature and function of dreaming continues to elude the scientific community. As theory and evidence accumulate and collide, the recounting and analysis of dreams continue as powerful clinical tools for healing self and patients. The article reviews major theories of dreaming, including a description of the basic structure of dreams and mental processes in dream formation; explores the usefulness of dreams in promoting health and dealing with illness through the analyses of three dreams; and identifies basic principles of dream exploration for use in clinical nursing practice.