Why Dream Analysis is Essential for Mental Health

News Desk

Islamabad: Therapists can more easily identify issues based on dream symbols and meanings as dream analysis allows patients to open up about their inner thoughts freely and without guilt, said psychologist.

Clinical Psychologist Dr Asghar Ali Shah stated that dreams can provide valuable insights for addressing psychological issues.

He noted that patients often find it easier to share dreams with therapists than actual events.

Dr Shah stressed the need for clinical psychologists to develop advanced skills in interpreting dreams and their symbols. This expertise could greatly assist psychological therapy.

Professor Ali highlighted the long history of studying dreams, noting Muslim scholar Ibn Sirin’s work on dream interpretation in the 7th century and later Sigmund Freud’s identification of dreams as representing the fulfilment of repressed wishes.

Dr Asghar has urged the universities to advance research on dream analysis as it would be significant progress in psychology and mental health treatment.

Universities have a key role to play in advancing research methodologies for analysing dream content, further said Shah, adding that multidisciplinary research engaging scholars of psychology and religious studies can lead to progress in evidence-based models.

Psychologist mentioned that prioritising dream research has enormous potential for improving mental health treatment, and a deeper study of dreams should be an important goal for the field of psychology.