Recurring homicidal dreams?

Ever since I was young, I've had dreams centered around death. Most of the time I had dreams about my dad brutally killing my mother. Over time, in my dreams, he started to try to hurt me too, and has killed me in a few dreams. (Mostly when I made an attempt to help my mom) Aside from that, the majority of my dreams have involved me getting killed or seriously injured by someone else. I've been shot, beaten, had spears, arrows, and even shards of glass thrown at me, a lot of times by people I don't recognize.
I thought maybe my dreams about my parents were cognitive exaggerations of how my parents always argue, and would sometimes get physical. For a while I didn't have dreams like this. But just a few nights ago I had another similar dream.

Does anyone know or have any idea as to why my dreams have this theme?

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Tatsumi · 31-35, M

If you feel they were exaggerations, they probably were. The brain speaks in metaphors in dreams, for the most part. Of course, it could also be some sub/conscious fear you have. "What if their arguing escalates and one of them kills the other?"

But, a theory also suggests that part of the purpose of dreams is preparing one for death.

I experienced similar dreams. Where I was killed in brutal and realistic and excessively painful ways. But I easily know why they occurred. IRL, I was in dangerous situations with dangerous people. I became more and more afraid of dying, and my brain responded to that fear. So, has something happened that caused you to especially fear dying? If not, then go with your gut instinct, when you wake. Ask yourself, "what did that mean?" Notice key elements in the dream, parts that stuck out the most, etc.

A dream journal could be helpful.

Especially in regards to reoccuring dreams or a theme, that usually means the brain is trying to tell you something. If you can find out what and acknowledge or accept whatever it is, then the nightmares may go away. For instance, "I realize my mother and father fight a lot, but it's unlikely they will resort to murder. And, if they do, I will have to deal with it, then. For now, everything is okay."

Finally, lucid dreaming is being used more and more in therapy to treat nightmares.

http://www.world-of-lucid-dreaming.com/escaping-from-nightmares.html