Is it possible to have a past life? And carry phobias from the previous one?

I've read alot of stuff, but I'm not quite sure yet exactly. All I know is that I've had vivid night terrors about being a a child who has been murdered. I remember it looked very old fashioned. I don't think I came here for a while, then back again in the seventies, cause I had dreams of a pleasant life then, but again I died. Head injury I think...But what makes it all seem fake is that I have a good imagination, I'm a writer. So is it made up? And even if it, is it possible to carry phobias into the next life?