Why am I violent in my dreams when I’m opposite in real life?

Hi, I’m looking for help understanding a pattern I’ve noticed in my dreams.

In real life, I’m not a violent person at all. I avoid conflict, I don’t like fighting, and I’ve never had the desire to physically hurt anyone. But in my dreams, I’ve been noticing a really intense and violent theme — especially when it comes to defending myself or someone I love.

Some examples: • In one dream, someone was threatening my grandmother (who I live with and love deeply), and I violently attacked them. I remember throwing them out of the house and even throwing acid on them — something I would never think about or do in real life. • In another dream, there was a haunted baby doll coming toward her with some kind of wooden object, and I reacted by physically destroying it — twisting its head off like I was protecting her from harm. • Recently, I dreamed I was fighting people who were bullying me. It wasn’t random violence — it felt like defending myself or protecting my dignity. But it escalated until the person stopped moving, and the dream ended with me realizing I went too far.

These dreams don’t feel like rage fantasies. They feel like protection, boundaries, or reacting to danger — but the level of violence is extreme and way out of character for me.

I’m wondering: • Why is my subconscious acting this way when I’m peaceful and non-confrontational in real life? • Could this be about suppressed emotions, fear, control, boundaries, or something symbolic? • Do people who avoid conflict in waking life sometimes have extreme defensive dreams?

Any symbolic, psychological, or personal insight is welcome. Thank you.