Most of us will have been left puzzled by a nightmare that seemingly came out of nowhere, and scramble to decode the reasoning behind it.

Now one psychologist has revealed the potential meanings behind the top ten disturbing dreams that leave us waking in a panic.

Psychologist Lee Chambers and fear and relief expert Lauren Rosenberg, in collaboration with MattressNextDay, analysed some of the most mentioned dream queries and UK search volumes over the past 12 months.

They discovered nightmares about teeth falling out are the most common among Britons and have risen 50 per cent in the last year, with the nightmare often signifying intense stress.

Elsewhere, dreams featuring ghosts have increased the most for six out of the 20 cities investigated, which is thought to be a subconscious expression of grief, loss and pain.

Here, FEMAIL reveals the top ten nightmares and what they really mean, according to the experts...  

1. Teeth falling out

Nightmares about teeth falling out are the most common amongst Britons and have risen 50 per cent in the last year, according to the study.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Lee suggests it is often a sign of psychological stress and is likely a signal to look after your overall health and well-being. 

'If you are grieving, under intense stress, significantly worried about major life changes or neglecting your own health, this dream can be extremely common,' he added. 

'While it is scary in the moment, it is likely a signal to look at your overall health and well-being.'

2. Getting shot

There was an 84 per cent rise in the number of Britons searching 'what does it mean when you get shot in a dream' compared to this time last year, according to the study.

And every month an average of 390 people look for an explanation to nightmares that involve being shot.

Lee said this can potentially have a number of underlying meanings, claiming: 'If we are being shot at home, that can suggest we feel unsafe in our environment.

'Being shot in the back may be a sign of betrayal, and being shot by somebody we know may suggest some underlying issues between you.'

3. Seeing ghosts

Dreams featuring ghosts have increased the most for six out of the 20 cities investigated.

Well-being Consultant Lee said: 'Ghosts are so often seen as spooky haunting creatures. It can often mean that you are about to start something big in your life and you are feeling the pressure.

'It may also indicate that you are in fear of dying, or feeling guilty of how you have treated someone. 

'If you recognise the ghost, it may be likely you are harbouring some feelings towards that individual, and if they have passed in real life, it may mean you are still mourning, or are having feelings that you suppressed when they passed.'

4. Being chased 

If you're being chased in your dream, you are said to be encountering some frustration or challenge to your pursuit of a particular fulfilment in your waking life.

The key to understanding the meaning behind this type of nightmare is to focus on who or what is chasing you, according to the experts.  

Some experts believe being chased by an animal indicates there is an instinctive impulse that you are finding hard to contain in waking life, while a monster pursuing you reflects a skill or challenge you are struggling to master. 

Lee added: 'It is so often a signal that we are choosing to flight, rather than fight, and looking at why can help us understand.'

5. Being in a fire

When you dream of fire, it can symbolise many feelings including passion, light, destruction and anger, according to the experts. 

If you weren't panicked by the fire, then it could signal your own fierceness and suggest your views are changing. But if you are burned by the fire, then it implies you are angry and have a raging temper pushing to be released.

Finally, it could also be a warning against a dangerous or risky activity you're contemplating. 

6. Drowning

Dreaming that you are drowning suggests that there is a situation in your waking life where you feel you are losing yourself in some way, the experts claim.

Being under the water symbolises your thoughts are being overwhelmed, possibly by work, a relationship issue or stress, and you believe you can't handle the problem.

Around 1,900 people each month, on average, look for the meaning behind this nightmare online and searches have increased 26 per cent this year.  

7. Being naked in public 

'Dreaming of being naked in public can be unpleasant, and often means you haven't been ready for something that’s happened in life, and the lack of preparedness literally leaves you feeling exposed', Lee said. 

'It can also show that we are overly worried about what people think of us. But how you react is really key. Are you embarrassed or ashamed? Or do you feel free and that your breaking the rules and expressing yourself?

It could also signal you're are hiding something, or that you are lacking in confidence to reach your ambitions, and can often come with the feeling of being shown up.' 

8. Getting lost

When dreaming about getting lost, it's often a sign that you are feeling confused in waking life and have anxieties about the direction you're taking, the experts suggested. 

'But it can also symbolise that we are exploring inside, trying to find parts of ourselves that we know are there,' added Lee.

'That feeling of being out of place in work or in life can trigger these dreams. Again, think about the environment you have got lost in, and you may find it links back to the thing you've been searching for inside.' 

9. Dreaming about death 

Nightmares about death possibly show you are entering or leaving an uncertain time in your life.

'While these can be frightening, they’re also an opportunity for growth and taking a look at what’s going on in your waking life,' the experts said.

It often suggests the end of an aspect of your life - such as a relationship or a job and can also signal that you want part of your life to change. 

10. Falling

Another common nightmare is falling - and this can suggest that you are losing yourself in some area of your waking life, according to Lee. 

He added: 'It is normally considered to be a sign of holding onto a situation too tightly in life, or feeling like you are losing control of something that you value. 

'While these are two of the most cited scenarios that lead to dreams of falling, along with feeling overwhelmed by life, it is important to remember that there is no one size fits all dream meaning guide.'

 

MailOnline