I dreamt I saw a drowned 5 year old in the bathtub. When I pulled them out by shoulder it did not feel like a person. Then a doctor popped into my dream and said it is not real. The doctor was also my dad who I have great respect for. When I saw the person I had huge remorse and then I felt confusion and relief
Dreams involving water, especially in such poignant and distressing scenarios, can often symbolize emotions and subconscious feelings. In your dream, the drowned child could represent a part of yourself that feels neglected, vulnerable, or lost—perhaps reflecting feelings of innocence, childhood, or unresolved issues from your past. The bathtub could symbolize a contained space for emotions or memories, suggesting you may be processing something significant that has been "drowned" or repressed.
Pulling the child out might signify an attempt to confront or rescue these feelings or experiences. The sensation of it not feeling like a person could imply a disconnection from those feelings, memories, or aspects of your life—perhaps you are grappling with feelings of loss or regret that seem distant or hard to comprehend.
The appearance of your father as a doctor brings an interesting dynamic. Typically, doctors in dreams can represent authority, guidance, or healing. Since your father is someone you have great respect for, he may symbolize a part of you that seeks assurance or wisdom regarding your feelings of remorse and confusion. His line, “it is not real,” could be reflecting your subconscious trying to process these feelings as something ephemeral or not grounded in reality—potentially encouraging you to reconsider if what you’re feeling is as severe as it seems.
The mixture of remorse, confusion, and relief suggests a complicated emotional landscape. You might be dealing with feelings of guilt or sadness about an area in your life but also sensing an opportunity for healing or understanding. Overall, this dream might be urging you to acknowledge and address feelings of vulnerability or unresolved issues, allowing for healing and growth.