Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It Feels LikeDifferent Types of Deja ReveCauses and TriggersWhat the Research SayDeja Reve vs. Deja VuCoping With Deja ReveEnjoying the Ride

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What It Feels Like

Different Types of Deja Reve

Causes and Triggers

What the Research Say

Deja Reve vs. Deja Vu

Coping With Deja Reve

Enjoying the Ride

Close

I wouldn’t say it happens often, but I’d say it happens enough to take note. I’ll be in a conversation with my husband, pulling up to a restaurant I’ve never been to before, or meeting someone for the first time and I’ll have this overwhelming feeling of familiarity. However, this isn’t a sense of familiarity where I feel I’m repeating myself or retracing my steps. Instead, I am convinced I havedreamedwhat I am experiencing at that very moment.

This wasn’t a phenomenon that only cropped up in adulthood. I remember similar instances from my preteen years and, when I asked others if they could relate, I was met with stories of shared experiences. I’ve come to learn this experience has a name: deja reve.

Deja reve quite literally translates into, “already dreamed,” adding a romantic touch of linguistics to this already dreamy (no pun intended) experience.Sometimes confused withdeja vu, which we will get into a bit later, this phenomenon is a common experience that typically isn’t any cause for concern. Read on to learn more about what deja reve feels like, what causes it, and if you need to seek out professional support.

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What It Feels Like to Experience Deja Reve

Deja reve feels similar to deja vu, in the sense that it provides an overwhelming sense of familiarity that you just quite can’t put your finger on. However, it is quite different. Rather than feeling like you’ve experienced something before when you know you haven’t, as is the case in deja vu, deja reve is when you feel as if you’vedreamedsomething before.

Here are some examples of what it feels like to experience deja reve:

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There are three different types of deja reve:

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Causes and Triggers of Deja Reve

What the Research Says About Deja Reve

To Stone’s point,researchdrives home that deja reve can be linked to epilepsy. A 2018 study published in Frontiers Journal found that some can experience deja reve during a seizure.However, that doesn’t mean deja reve is a direct indicator of epilepsy. There is nuance to this experience and anyone, those with epilepsy or not, can experience this phenomenon.

While deja reve calls back to adreamyou’ve had, deja vu calls back to an experience you’ve had. While deja reve may have you shaking someone’s hand and feeling as if you’ve already done so in adream, deja vu would have you shaking the person’s hand and feeling insistent you’ve met them before – even if you know you haven’t.

Similar to deja reve, deja vu is also associated with epilepsy. But, just like deja reve, anyone can have this experience.

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Generally speaking, deja reve isn’t anything to fear. Though it can feel mystical and otherworldly, it is a rather common experience. If you’re doubting that, ask those in your life if they’ve experienced it – they likely have. “I’ve had it before myself – the majority of people have had the experience before,” explained Dr. Stone before following her statement up with a statistic that 97% of folks have experienced deja reve.

Considering there is a link to epilepsy, some readers may feel a bit spooked. I asked Dr. Stone for her insight on when she thinks someone should seekprofessional helpfor deja reve. “If it is associated with losing time or loss of awareness, confusion, headaches, or vision changes, then they should let your doctor know,” she shared.

If you experience deja reve occasionally and are not experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms that would make you a candidate to seek out medical support, we recommend leaning into the experience. Take notes of your dreams in yourdream journaland notice what dreams your mind calls back to with deja reve.

If you’re working with atherapist, this can be powerful material to process together. Alternatively, you may look intodream symbolismto see what wisdom these occurrences may hold. Or, you might just take notice of what’s happening as a passing experience and keep on with your day.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Zatloukalova E, Mikl M, Shaw DJ, et al.Insights into déjà vu: Associations between the frequency of experience and amplitudes of low-frequency oscillations in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.Eur J Neurosci. 2022;55(2):426-437. doi:10.1111/ejn.15570

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