I have a similar issue with separating dreams and reality sometimes. If they are really stressful involving someone I know or a significant other , sometimes I can't look at the person the same way, even though I know it was just a dream , until I totally forget the dream after a while .

I really struggle with flashbacks of dreams and nightmares , during the day, since a child, and it can be distressing . I also find if I let myself sleep in and don't force myself to get out of bed, that when I just keep dreaming for hours, there are weirder and weirder dreams as the hours go on . You're not alone in feeling like dreams mess you about .