21 Meanings When You Dream About Being Kidnapped

If you dream about kidnaps, generally speaking, it will mean that you have a feeling of being trapped in some way. The 21 meanings when you dream about being kidnapped are, consequently, almost all based around this theme. There are a couple of exceptions, but really only a few.

I will keep my fingers crossed that your specific dream is not too negative.

Dream About Being Kidnapped Meaning

21 Meanings When You Dream About Being Kidnapped

So, let’s get to it and see what your subconscious is trying to tell you.

1. Dream of Being Kidnapped

This means that you have some anxiety about losing your personal freedom in the future. Maybe you are moving in with your romantic partner, getting married, or having a baby. All of these things might make you fear being restricted in comparison to your previous life.

Sharing your space with people is a compromise. However, what you lose in some ways, you will gain in others. So, although you might lose some freedom, you will gain through things like friendship, companionship, and closer bonds.

2. Dream of Being Kidnapped by an Ex-Boyfriend

A dream where you are kidnapped by your ex-boyfriend means you are still emotionally attached to them. It could be that you are still working through the breakup and have no intention of getting back together. However, it could also mean you are now regretting the split, and you are seriously thinking of trying a reconciliation.

Breakups hurt!

This is tough because breaking up with someone always leaves a part of you behind. Although it will be very difficult, you need to take an objective view of why the relationship failed. If you honestly think that those reasons would make the relationship fail again, you need to forget any second chances. However, if you think there is a genuinely strong chance of things working out, given another try, then maybe you need to make that call.

In any event, it is probably worth talking things over with a family member or close friend first. Choose someone who has no bias and can remain impartial. The last thing you need in this situation is to talk to someone who wants to push or promotes their own agendas.

3. Dream of Being Locked in a Room by a Kidnapper

This means you feel trapped in your waking life. It is most probably related to your work or business life. You may think that you have become defined by what you do rather than who you are. You may also feel that you have made the wrong career choice and are now in a job you hate. However, you cannot escape because you need the money for the various commitments you have already accumulated.

One of the most common meanings when you dream about being kidnapped is…

…having financial fears. In fact, this is a common problem for many people and, therefore, also a very common dream. It is a difficult predicament because many people have limited choices due to the economic circumstances they find themselves in.

A starting point would be to at least consider your options and think carefully if there is a way to retrain or move jobs, without too much consequential financial hardship. Hopefully, even doing something as simple as making a long-term plan will be enough to alleviate your stress and set you on a happier path.

4. Dream of Planning to Kidnap Someone

A dream where you plan to kidnap someone means that you find it difficult to communicate with others and lack some basic communication skills. Essentially, you may well be shy, introverted, and socially awkward in the company of people you do not know very well.

Sound like you?

Not everyone can be the best at mixing with new people, and you should not become overly stressed about it. Talk to someone you can trust and confide in them about how you feel in social settings. See if they can help to improve your skills when talking and dealing with people. You could also consider enrolling in a short course to work specifically on these areas.

Above all, remember that it is OK to be you, and it is OK to be shy and introverted.

Continue to pursue your wider purpose, and you will be fine.

5. Dream That You Are Kidnapped by Your Partner

This is not a great dream and means that you are having some serious problems with your current partner. I say ‘current’ because if the issues are not properly dealt with, it is unlikely that things will last.

Feeling trapped?

It could be that you have begun to feel trapped within your relationship. If you have had children or assumed more and more responsibilities, this is not unusual. Developing long-term relationships can cause a huge amount of stress for anyone.

It may be that you have both got busy with life but not with each other. Everything other than your relationship has taken precedence. If this is a good description of your situation, you need to find ways to reconnect and communicate with each other.

Hopefully, this will help to make you realize why you got together in the first instance.

6. Dream of an Attempted Kidnap

If you dream that someone tried to kidnap you, it indicates that you feel things in your waking life are slowly deteriorating. You may be experiencing issues with your romantic partner, and you do not know how to resolve them. As your relationship declines, you may be feeling like you are losing control of your life.

These are normal emotions under these kinds of circumstances, and you should not be alarmed by them. The reality could be that you and your partner are both feeling like you’re in an emotional free fall. Your dream is telling you that you need to take action before things get worse.

How?

Well, the next step is to have an open, frank, and honest conversation with your partner to ascertain exactly what is going on. Set boundaries and agree that there will be no point-scoring or petty, vindictive accusations.

Be respectful and try to understand each other’s points of view.

7. Dream of Being Kidnapped for no Reason

Having a dream where there is no apparent reason for your kidnap means that you are not living up to your full potential in your waking life. This is likely all down to your lack of hard work and commitment to your own future.

Time for a reboot…

Your subconscious has now recognized that you are freewheeling through life, and your ambitions and goals are slowly passing you by. It is time to get busy, put in the hard yards, and turn the whole thing around. It’s not too late to still achieve everything you have ever wanted. So, make that change and do it today.

8. Dream of Being Kidnapped with no Captors

This means that you have been immersed in a difficult situation for some time. The consequence is that your position feels almost normal, and you have come to expect that this is your lot. You now have the opportunity to break out of your current bind, but you are not taking it, and continue to live a suboptimal and essentially unsatisfactory life.

Your reluctance to escape and forge a better life for yourself could be down to the lack of confidence you now have in your own abilities. After living in a stressful and difficult environment for so long, you have perhaps lost the belief in yourself that you once had.

Talk this through with a friend and then move forward, change your stars, and believe.

9. Dream of Being Kidnapped Many Times

A dream where you are kidnapped multiple times is a sign that there is some kind of betrayal going on in your life. This might be from a romantic partner, though it could alternatively be from a work colleague or friend. The result is that you, naturally, feel hurt and now find it hard to be trusting.

The emotional fallout of someone cheating, deceiving, or lying to you can be huge. These kinds of emotions often take a long time to work through, and their impact should not be underestimated. If you are betrayed in your waking life, ensure you ask for support from your friends and the people close to you.

10. Dream of Being Kidnapped after Escaping

If you dream that you escape and are kidnapped again, it means that you keep repeating the same mistakes over and over. Pay close attention to the details of the dream because the people in it may give you a clue as to the source of your problem.

In your waking life, you should take a hard, cold look at where your setbacks have occurred and under what circumstances. See if you can identify a common denominator, and if you can, then you need to focus your energies on eliminating it.

11. Dream of Being Kidnapped on a Friday Night

This is a bit weird, but if you dream of a Friday night kidnap, it indicates that you may experience some family arguments and conflict. Families can be difficult at times, and sorting out problems can also be mentally taxing. Consequently, get yourself in the right head space and prepare yourself for some potential difficulties.

When you are in the thick of the discussions, ensure you keep your cool and stay on point at all times. Don’t use personal attacks, and stay respectful. Your conduct and behavior will stand you in good stead for the future.

12. Dream of Being Kidnapped but not Scared

This is a common dream for introverts and people who do not often share their feelings and emotions. In this instance, this is a dream of good fortune, though there is an underlying message for the dreamer to be more open with the people close to them.

Being a little more expressive can help to foster stronger relationships. It can also help to prevent becoming isolated. Talk to a friend to help you learn how to communicate better. Doing this will improve your social life and will also put an end to these dreams.

13. Dream of Kidnappers Demanding a Ransom

If you have a dream where a ransom is being demanded, you are likely experiencing some serious financial issues in your waking life. It might be a business deal gone wrong, or it could just as easily be that your household finances are being severely stretched.

Living hand to mouth…

With so many people living from paycheck to paycheck and having run-up credit cards and other debts, this is not unusual. However, as common as it is, this is no way to live. You need to sit down and objectively look at your spending and make a plan to get yourself (and keep yourself) out of this mess.

Start living within your means and make it a priority to continue to do so…always!

14. Dream of Kidnap and Torture

Not surprisingly, this is not good. In fact, it has one of the more disturbing of the 21 meanings when you dream about being kidnapped.

So, why is it so bad?

Because it means you have recently been through a huge trauma that you have not fully recovered from. It might be that a loved one has passed away or that you have been through a huge financial loss. Whatever the situation, you are a long way from having gotten over it.

This could have left you feeling stressed and potentially even depressed. If you have not already spoken and shared your feelings with someone, then you really need to. Moreover, if you have already done so and this has not worked, it might be time to talk to a qualified counselor or health professional.

15. Dream of Being Kidnapped by a Stranger

This can have two possible meanings.

The first is that you are being ruled in your life by some form of compulsive behavior or addiction. You might have started to spend an increasingly unreasonable amount of time playing video games, watching TV, or checking social media posts. Alternatively, you might have an addiction to something like gambling or alcohol.

Although this is far from good, the one piece of positive news is that you have subconsciously realized that you need to get things under control. The next phase is bringing this through to your conscious mind and then taking steps to moderate your behavior.

Doesn’t apply to you?

An alternative meaning is that you are overly hard on yourself when you make a mistake. You are your worst critic, and you do not afford yourself the same leeway and compassion as you would with other people.

It is good to have high standards and work hard to achieve them. However, there are limits, and you need to recognize that no one is perfect and no one can be right all of the time. That, of course, includes you too.

Stop giving yourself such a hard time and try to practice a little more self-compassion.

16. Dream of a Forest Kidnap

A dream about being kidnapped in a forest is a sign that you might be tempted to engage in affairs outside of your current relationship. It could be that you feel you are lacking some kind of emotional comfort from your partner, so you are seeking it elsewhere.

This should go without saying…

An affair may seem like a good way to fill the hole in your life, but it will only cause more emptiness and heartache. Do not be the person who potentially wreaks havoc on other people’s lives. Rather, do the right thing, and try to fix what you think might presently be broken.

Talk to your partner and consider outside help through a counselor if you think it would work. Do everything you can to save your relationship. If it still doesn’t work, and you sadly part ways, only then should you contemplate forming an attachment with someone else.

17. Dream of Being Kidnapped by Someone That You Know

This means that there is someone in your waking life whom you do not trust. You feel that every time you talk or deal with them, they are using or trying to use you. They could be someone you know from work or maybe a new friend.

The dream of a friend kidnapping you is telling you to trust your instincts and that you are right to treat them cautiously. Don’t let them get close to you, and be careful what you say or do around them. You do not want to give them any ammunition that can be later used against you.

18. Dream of Being Kidnapped by Multiple People

This isn’t a good sign and is very much a bad omen. It means that your life has become filled with negative energy, and you, consequently, are on the wrong path in your waking life. It is time to consider what you want to achieve and what you see as your ultimate life goals.

Don’t be scared of change…

Your inner voice is simply telling you that you may have got things wrong and indicates that you already know deep down that change must come. Analyze what is truly going on and then decide if there is any substance to the dream and your gut feeling. If there is, don’t be afraid to change course and adjust your life accordingly.

19. Dream of Being Kidnapped and Taken to Prison

A dream where you are kidnapped and then go to prison indicates that there is someone in your waking life who wants some information from you. They are prepared and will go to almost any lengths to get this. Consequently, you must be prepared for a barrage of demands and potentially highly manipulative behavior.

If the information is confidential or a secret that you have sworn to keep, you should think very carefully before talking about it. Of all the meanings when you dream about being kidnapped, this one is a serious warning in this regard. Unless you have a very good reason to share this information, you should say nothing. It will ruin your reputation and only serve to hurt you badly.

20. Dream of Being Kidnapped and Escaping

One interpretation of this dream is that you are struggling to overcome some serious obstacles in your waking life. These might be related to work or home. Unfortunately, you have been unable to fix your problems, and all you can think of is somehow escaping from them and the situation you now find yourself in.

Does that ring a bell?

If not, an alternative interpretation is that you feel that people in your waking life do not give you full credit for what you do. Consequently, you feel underappreciated, and you, therefore, feel frustrated, angry, and resentful.

These are highly negative emotions that can only hurt you. It is not a good idea to keep this inside. You need to calmly inform whoever is making you feel this way of why you feel disappointed with their words and actions toward you.

21. Dream of Being Kidnapped by the Government

If you dream that you have been kidnapped by the government, you may feel trapped in your current work or business. You may have reached a point where your life seems to be dictated by forces outside of your control. So, you are now merely existing to work with no real life outside of it, and no useful purpose otherwise.

Time to take action…

It could be you have lost sight of who you are and have now messed up your healthy work/life balance. It’s easy to get sucked into this, as work can often leave us feeling exhausted. However, you have to reestablish who you are outside of the office or your place of work.

Make a special effort to utilize your free time more effectively and resist the temptation to become a passive consumer of TV or social media. Get more involved in your favorite sports, hobbies, and pastimes. Additionally, find more time for your friends and family.

The extra effort will be well worth it.

Having a Lot of Upsetting Dreams Lately?

Sometimes we all go through periods of having a few nightmares. It’s really nothing to worry about. However, if you continue to dream of traumatic events, this likely means you’re simply not getting the message your subconscious is desperately trying to give you.

We can offer you full guides to a wide range of unpleasant dreams worth looking into, such as Dreams Of Blood, Dreams About Murder, a Dream About Car Accidents, a Dream Of House On Fire, or a Dream About Demons. We can share Dreams About Being Lost Meaning, or Tsunami Dream Meaning, too.

Are you Being Chased in a Dream, Dreaming Of Someone Dying Who Is Still Alive, or Dreaming Of Earthquakes? Then, you may also want to better understand the Main Reasons Why Your Dreams Feel So Real. This can really help you keep a positive perspective after having a very unsettling dream.

Or just search this site for any questions about dreams you may have in 2023!

Ok, back to today’s discussion…

21 Meanings When You Dream About Being Kidnapped – Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. Overall, that was pretty heavy reading, and unfortunately, there were not too many bright spots among the dream interpretations.

However, hopefully, amongst the 21 meanings when you have a dream where you are kidnapped, your particular dream wasn’t too bad. Plus, with a bit of luck, there was also a potential pathway to drag yourself out of any negativity.

Sweet dreams!

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Meaning & Interpretations Of “Being Kidnapped” In Dream

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About Sophia Wilson

Sophia is our head writer, here at Rockridge Institute - The Spirit Magazine, and is a Certified Dream Analyst, author, podcast personality, speaker, and a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams. The IASD is a worldwide organization that conducts and encourages research into the function, nature, and significance of dreaming.

She is obsessed with updating her dream journal, capturing all the strange and fascinating adventures she experiences while asleep. And uses this information to help her analyze and decipher dreams for tens of thousands of people worldwide. She is also working on her first book, 'Dreams and their Meanings' which is due to be published next year.

Sophia also writes for a number of newspapers, monthly publications, and websites, sharing her knowledge and love of dreams and their meanings.
She enjoys playing the piano, dinner parties with friends, and taking her German Shepherd, Ben, for walks around her home in Boston, Massachusetts.

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