First, some background.

My wife and I owned our first home for seven years. The people who sold us the house sort of did a number on us. And, the neighbors were very hostile. Living there, overall, for most of the time was pure hell. It was very tense and stressful.

Thirteen years ago, we sold the house and moved to another state. And, we love our current home, neighbors, and community.

Yet, for years, I continue to have the same dream about our old house - where we are sneaking back into that house, while the current owners are not there.

Sometimes it's me and my wife. Other times it's my kids too - who were not alive when we lived there. And, sometimes it's other family members and pets as well.

Sometimes we are sneaking in just for a few minutes - maybe just to be nosey or use the bathroom. Other times, we sneaking in for longer - to eat a meal or take a nap. And, sometimes we're in there for much longer, like overnight, or, to have a party.

No matter who is with me or how long we are there, my feeling and sensations in the dream are the same. When we are in the house, I am in a state of fear and panic that the current owners are going to come home and find us there - or that the neighbors will spot us back in the house.

Any idea on what this means and why I keep having his dream/nightmare repeatedly for all these years?

Hi and Welcome!

I often dream of being back in an old job. One of them I was a machine operator and the work was hard, low pay, and no chance for advancement. I didn't like it and found it unfullfilling and unrewarding. Why I keep going back there in my dreams is unclear, but I suspect it's because the setting provides a certain level of traumatic stress. It's like those who come back from war or experienced abuse, they keep going back in their dreams.

I have a friend who always has nightmares about being in the psychiatric ward where she experienced abuse by orderlies and nurses.

Because the setting was a source of distress, it's most likely post-traumatic stress disorder. Your emotional brain is trying to sort things out by replaying the situation.

for more info: Post-traumatic stress disorder - PubMed Health

sweet slumber - thanks!

I never thought of that...that maybe this is my brain trying to go back to one of the things in my life that did work out they way that I wish it had...to try and sort it out?

I'm not sure if that's the answer. But, I am willing to consider it.