The Difference Between Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors are two kinds of sleep disturbances that can cause stress and anxiety in people who have experienced them. Though nightmares and night terrors are both types of disrupted sleep, there are important differences between the two.

A nightmare is a frightening dream that can occur during any stage of sleep. Nightmares commonly involve themes of danger, fear, or despair. They can be disturbing and linger after waking. Nightmares are more common in adults, although children and teens may also experience them.

Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are episodes of fear, screaming, and flailing that occur during one of the deeper stages of sleep. Night terrors are largely involuntary and are commonly accompanied with sweating, rapid heart rate, and thrashing. Night terrors are more common in children but adults can experience them too.

How Nightmares and Night Terrors Differ

The key differences between nightmares and night terrors are the time of the sleep cycle during which they occur, how wakeful the person experiencing them is, and the intensity of fear and distress associated with the episode.

Nightmares occur during the later stages of sleep, which are generally associated with dream sleep. In contrast, night terrors occur during earlier stages of the sleep cycle, when people are usually in a deep sleep. During nightmares, the person is usually semi-conscious and can remember details. During night terrors, people are usually not conscious and have limited memory of the episode.

Distinguishing Symptoms

Though nightmares and night terrors can look similar from the outside, they can be distinguished by certain identifying symptoms. While nightmares are often remembered and can cause feelings of fear and sadness, night terrors are often forgotten and cause intense fear and panic.

During a nightmare, people are usually semi-conscious and can recall feeling scared and vivid dream images. On the other hand, during a night terror, people often have no or limited recall afterwards, and can feel a surge of fear and panic. They may wake up feeling confused or disoriented and often sleepwalk or talk in their sleep during episodes.

Additionally, people experiencing a nightmare will usually have their eyes open, while someone experiencing a night terror will usually have their eyes closed. Nightmares most often occur in the later, dream-filled stages of sleep, while night terrors are likely to occur during the earlier, deep stages of sleep.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms associated with nightmares and night terrors can include:

• Screaming, talking, or crying out in sleep
• Jolting awake in a state of fear or panic
• Rapid heart rate and sweating
• Eyes being open or closed during the episode
• Sleeping problem like sleepwalking, difficulty sleeping, or nightmares that cause distress

Conclusion

Though nightmares and night terrors can both be frightening and disruptive, understanding the differences between them can help people recognize symptoms, seek treatment, and manage their symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing sleep disturbances, it is important to speak to a doctor to help identify the best course of treatment.