Why am I having such vivid dreams? Can I get rid of them?

To me, you're in a situation of "Pre-stress". I had these vivid dreams when I'm not stressed out about anything and I have much to do later in the future like getting ready to move out for college and all of that. It's normal.

There's a few ways to tone down the pre-stress and have less of vivid dreams.

First off, don't have caffeine before 7 PM, including coffee, pop, energy drinks, etc... Your body is trying to calm down and that's what gets you going in your dreams. Even food can affect your sleep.

Secondly, if you're a writer or a talker or both, it's best you tell yourself or write it out about the situation. If you're able to express it in any form of ways, your mind can relax and know everything will go smoothly.

Thirdly, have you tried yoga or meditation? They help and give your mind a clear idea what is going on. You'll be able to let it go and feel better.

Fourthly, try changing your bed up a bit or straighten it up. When you sleep, you need to find that comfort and your body adjust to it. You'll be able to forget those vivid dreams as if any regular dreams.

Are you on pills or certain medication? If so, call your doctor and find out if they're affecting your sleeping habits. They put a lot of stress on your sleeping and not many people realizes it affects them personally.

Did you change something a few months ago? Maybe that's the situation, try seeing what you're doing wrong and do research to fix it back up.

None of this working or helpful? I say the doctor might help you on the case and you might have some stress that your subconscious brain believes you have. A subconscious dream is usually trying to gather your attention and wanting you do something at what you're doing or pay attention. Try having your dream interpreted so you can solve yourself some problems.

Well, first of all, stay away from the LSD! But seriously, you may be able to help resolve vivid dreams with "Lucid Dreaming." (Do a little research) That's where you can control your dreams by basically telling yourself it is one of THOSE dreams while you're having it and waking yourself up, or doing something that will stop the nightmare at it's source. For instance, if a monster is chasing you in your dream, you tell yourself to stop, turn around, and say, "Hey! Knock it off! I'm trying to sleep here!" You can do that because you decided before you went to sleep, that's what you will do if you have a bad dream. And you decide that you make the rules and anything in dreams will obey. YOU have control. Also, instead of wine, try the old warm milk or some kind of soothing herbal tea such as chamomile. Check your caffeine intake too. Read the labels! Hope this helps...

I think you may be suffering from depression. The same thing was happening to me.