Fear your mind for it is hell

[TheoneandonlytrueGod]

I don't particularly like horror all that much but every now and then I'll indulge myself in some scary stories, movies or games. Just recently I had one of these fits and read several scary stories before going to bed (bad decision). While I was able to laugh at the absurdity and illogical-ness of the stories when I was awake, my mind would have none of my rationality while I was asleep and so began a nightmare.

I suppose it's a testament to how much I've matured over the years that what few nightmares I have no longer focus on physical terrors but on psychological ones (either that or it's because a couple of the stories weren't about physical horrors but mental. Personally I like my first reason, though.) However these are the most frustrating since there is nothing you can do about the threat. It knows your thoughts and has no physical manifestaion that you can either run from or beat to oblivion so you're basically screwed until you can gain back your reason or wake up.

If there is a hell, I think that this is what it must be like. You are in a constant state of fear with no physical world to grasp onto or access to your rational faculties.
Truly hell is as bad as you can imagine.

What do you guys think? Is hell just a primitive state of mind imposed on our modern selves? Also, any tips on how to regain your wakeful intelligence in your dreams would be helpful.

I don't remember having had nightmares ever.

As a child I went to the movie theater and saw the original "Frankenstein", perhaps it was called "The Frankenstein Monster" in any case it never occured to me to be frightened, I was sorry and sympathetic for him. On the other hand I saw "It Came from Outer Space" when it came out and was extreamly suspenseful to the point I walked the eight blocks from the buss stop to home, but  didn't have nightmares.

Robert