Dream About Self Harm And Shame

Dear Elisabeth, Your dream seems to be a manifestation of deep-seated emotional pain and a sense of self-punishment. The acts of self-harm and the subsequent shame you felt symbolize a desire to hide your inner struggles from others. The school setting and the punishments you endure represent feelings of inadequacy and a belief that you deserve to be punished for your perceived failures. The church and the genealogy books suggest a search for redemption and a desire to change your past. However, the crossed-out section and the inability to alter the names indicate that you may feel powerless to change certain aspects of your life. The man who dies of a heart attack while confronting you about your self-harm could represent a part of yourself that is trying to stop the self-destructive behavior, but ultimately succumbs to the weight of your emotional pain.