Keep having nightmares where I can't wake up

I've had many nightmares where I eventually know I'm dreaming and then shake my head to try and wake up. Then I wake up but always realise something is wrong. For example I might be deaf, or my reflection is distorted or missing. Or like today I had a false awakening and always felt like someone was peeking at me from a corner and I saw a girl quickly hiding as I saw her. Then I realise I'm still dreaming and try to wake up but it just doesn't work. Shit like this scares the hell out of me. Any way to prevent this?