Sleep trouble...not able to wake up from dreams...?

Ive found myself waking up physically from dreams about work latley and not being able to mentally get out of the dream state.... I work at a courthouse, so my job is pretty stressfull and I hear a lot of really crazy stuff. For instance, I'll be sleeping away and all of a sudden, get up out of bed, dreaming that I need to go pull a file or get something, or that Im in court and the judge has directed me to do something...I cant wake up out of the dream, even though I totally know that Im dreaming...its so weird. I get so confused on where I am and what is going on...my husband often has to comfort me because Im freaking out in my sleep- sweating, crying, breathing hard...Is this a sleep anxiety attack or just a night mare? Im trying to decide what I need to do about this so that I can enjoy sleeping again :) Oh and I love my job, so I really need to learn how to cope with this! Thanks!