When does the foetus start to dream? What are its early dreams? What is the function of infant dreams? What is the impact of nightmares? How do dreams evolve during adolescence? Is the visual aspect dominant in dreams? How do children who are born blind dream? Gérard Bléandonu brings to these questions his experience as a psychotherapist specialising in children suffering from psychological difficulties. Using the case studies of several children he has followed, he explains the content and structuring function of dreams. The children’s own drawings often serve to elaborate on their dreams and render them more explicit. The author makes use of recent findings in neuro-physiology which have improved our understanding of dream mechanisms. Today, it is no longer possible to adhere to the Freudian thesis which states that dreams serve either to fulfil wishes or to safeguard sleep.

Gérard Bléandonu is a psychiatrist and head of Child Psychiatry at the regional hospital of Savoie, France. He is the author of numerous works on child and adolescent psychiatry.