Shadows in the night.

Have you every had a dream so vivid and alive that when you jolt awake it takes a while to realize it was just a dream? That happened to me last night and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind all day. I wonder if the dream could be a sign or maybe represent something. To be clear I have to say this was actually NO dream it was a nightmare. I wish I could shake the uneasiness I have about it but I can't seem to no matter how hard I try. Maybe a stiff drink and a sleeping pill well lead to a deeper nights sleep with no chance of ghosts or goblins.