93% of Users Broke Free from Compulsive Health Research – Here’s How
admin
July 9, 2025
Sleep disturbances can be distressing for both children and adults. Understanding the difference between nightmares and night terrors is crucial for finding effective coping strategies. While both can disrupt sleep and cause anxiety, they are distinct phenomena with different causes, symptoms, and treatments. This comprehensive guide explores the key differences between these sleep disturbances and provides evidence-based strategies to manage them effectively.
Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that typically occur during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), nightmares are characterized as extremely dysphoric dreams that usually involve threats to survival, security, or physical integrity. They generally occur in the latter part of the night when REM sleep is more prevalent.
When experiencing a nightmare, you’ll typically wake up completely and be able to recall the dream content in detail. These unsettling dreams often provoke feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, or disgust. While occasional nightmares are normal, frequent nightmares that disrupt sleep and affect daytime functioning may indicate nightmare disorder.
Nightmares typically cause the person to wake fully and remember the disturbing dream content.
Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are episodes of intense fear and panic that occur during non-REM sleep, typically during the first third of the night. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3) classifies night terrors as a parasomnia, which is a category of sleep disorders involving unwanted events or experiences that occur while falling asleep, during sleep, or when waking up.
Unlike nightmares, night terrors involve only partial awakening. The person may scream, thrash around, or show signs of intense fear, but they remain in a state between sleeping and waking. Most importantly, they typically have no memory of the episode the next morning.
During night terrors, the person appears awake but is actually in a state between sleeping and waking.
| Characteristic | Nightmares | Night Terrors |
| Sleep Stage | REM sleep (dream stage) | Non-REM sleep (deep sleep) |
| Timing | Later part of the night | First third of the night |
| Awareness | Fully awake after episode | Partially awake during episode |
| Memory | Clear recall of dream content | Little to no memory of episode |
| Physical Response | Minimal (may wake up startled) | Intense (screaming, thrashing, sweating) |
| Prevalence in Adults | Common (35-45% have at least one monthly) | Rare (1-2% of adults) |
| Prevalence in Children | Common (75% of children) | More common than in adults (56% of children under 13) |
Brain activity differs significantly between nightmares (REM sleep) and night terrors (non-REM sleep).
Nightmares can be triggered by various psychological, physiological, and environmental factors. A 2020 study published in The Lancet Neurology found that nightmares often serve as the brain’s way of processing emotions and memories, particularly those associated with stress or trauma.
Night terrors typically result from abnormal regulation of deep sleep. A 2021 study in Nature and Science of Sleep found that night terrors involve a partial arousal from deep sleep, where the brain is caught between sleep and wakefulness.
Common triggers that can contribute to nightmares and night terrors in both children and adults.
Physical and emotional symptoms differ significantly between nightmares and night terrors.
Research published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (2019) has shown that several techniques can effectively reduce nightmare frequency and intensity. These strategies focus on addressing underlying causes and changing how the brain processes disturbing dream content.
Image Rehearsal Therapy involves rewriting nightmare scenarios with positive outcomes and mentally rehearsing them.
Night terrors require a different approach since the person experiencing them is not fully conscious during episodes and typically doesn’t remember them afterward.
Scheduled awakening involves gently waking a child 15-30 minutes before their typical night terror episode.
While occasional nightmares and isolated night terrors are generally not cause for concern, certain situations warrant professional attention. A 2019 study in Schizophrenia Bulletin found that persistent sleep disturbances can significantly impact mental health and quality of life.
A sleep specialist can help identify underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatments for persistent sleep disturbances.
Treatment approaches vary depending on the type and cause of sleep disturbance:
Night terrors themselves are not physically harmful, but they can lead to injury if the person runs, jumps, or thrashes violently during an episode. The main risk comes from potential accidents during the episode. Creating a safe sleep environment by removing hazards and securing doors and windows can help prevent injuries. Night terrors do not indicate psychological problems or cause psychological harm.
Yes, adults can experience night terrors, though they are much less common than in children. Approximately 1-2% of adults report having night terrors, compared to about 56% of children under 13. In adults, night terrors are more likely to be associated with other factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, certain medications, or underlying sleep disorders. Adults with night terrors are also more likely to have a history of anxiety and depression.
Occasional nightmares are a normal part of sleep and do not indicate mental illness. However, frequent, intense nightmares that disrupt sleep and daily functioning may be associated with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, or depression. If nightmares occur weekly or more often and cause significant distress, it may be worth consulting a mental health professional to rule out underlying conditions.
Individual night terror episodes usually last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, though they may seem longer to observers. During this time, the person may scream, thrash, or appear extremely frightened. After the episode, they typically return to normal sleep without fully waking. As for the condition itself, children often outgrow night terrors by adolescence, while in adults, addressing underlying causes can help resolve recurring episodes.
Some research suggests that eating heavy meals close to bedtime may increase the likelihood of nightmares by raising metabolism and body temperature, which can affect sleep quality and dream content. Spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can also disrupt sleep patterns and potentially trigger nightmares. However, there’s limited scientific evidence directly linking specific foods to night terrors. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding large meals 2-3 hours before bedtime may help reduce sleep disturbances.
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances with different causes, symptoms, and management approaches. While nightmares are disturbing dreams that wake you and can be remembered, night terrors involve partial awakening with intense fear but little memory of the episode. Both can be distressing, but understanding the differences is key to finding effective coping strategies.
Most children outgrow these sleep disturbances, and adults can often manage them with good sleep hygiene and stress reduction techniques. However, when sleep disturbances become frequent or severely impact daily life, professional help from sleep specialists or therapists can provide relief through targeted interventions and treatments.
By implementing the coping strategies outlined in this article and seeking help when needed, you can work toward more peaceful nights and better overall well-being for yourself or your child.
Creating a peaceful sleep environment and practicing good sleep hygiene can help reduce the frequency of nightmares and night terrors.
Nightmares occur during REM sleep and are remembered upon waking, while night terrors happen during non-REM sleep and are rarely recalled.
If nightmares or night terrors are disrupting your sleep and impacting your daytime functioning, it may be time to consult with a sleep specialist. Professional help can provide personalized strategies and treatments.
If nightmares or night terrors are significantly impacting your life or your child’s well-being, professional help is available. Sleep specialists and therapists can provide personalized treatment plans to address your specific needs.
If nightmares or night terrors are affecting your quality of life or your child’s well-being, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support. Sleep specialists can provide personalized guidance and treatment options.
Since 1987, Fur Replacement has been the trusted name for premium fur trims
-
ser-
ving leading fashion brands and discerning clients across the world.
We specialize exelusively in replacement fur trims for luxury jackets and coats, restoring elegance, warmth, and value with every piece.
Trusted by global fashion houses, every trim crafted to perfection since 1987.
From our Scandinavian atelier to your doorstep
