I have vivid dreams all the time. I retired early because of depression and anxiety. I often dream that I am back at work even though in the dream I know iam retired. I also have dreams where Iam lost. I too feel like it is my mind trying to let out feelings I bottle up.
I think when we have disturbing dreams or nightmares it is a release from traumas we havent dealt with.
I have some interesting dreams. I am a child again playing with my little brother who took his life at 34. I wake up feeling peaceful. I have dreams with full conversations with my ex telling him how I feel. He almost got my son killed with his drug debt. Sometimes medications can cause unusual dreams. I trust that my brain is solving issues while I sleep.
Sometimes usually following a stressful day.
Sometimes I dream about rubbish then I feel I can't speak ! Horrible! I fall back to sleep again after a while 🙁