Nightmares and night terrors are two distinct sleep conditions with some important differences. Nightmares are scary dreams that occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and usually in the early morning. They are often caused by stress and trauma, and the dreamer typically wakes up in a lucid state and is able to remember the dream clearly. On the other hand, night terrors are episodes of extreme stress, such as screaming or thrashing, that occur during non-REM sleep, specifically deep sleep in the first half of the night. Those experiencing night terrors are usually difficult to wake up and may not recall the episode. While nightmares are more common, affecting 50-85% of adults occasionally, night terrors are rarer, with only 2.2% of adults in one UK study reporting them.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Occurrence | Nightmares are more common than night terrors |
Sleep phase | Nightmares occur during REM sleep; night terrors occur during non-REM sleep, specifically stage-three sleep |
Timing | Nightmares usually occur in the last third of the night; night terrors occur in the first third of the night |
Waking | After a nightmare, you typically wake up alert and able to remember the dream; after a night terror, you may be hard to wake up and confused |
Activity | During a nightmare, you may groan or mumble; during a night terror, you may thrash, scream, or run out of bed |
Prevalence | 75% of kids have had at least one nightmare; 35-45% of adults have nightmares at least once a month; 1-2% of adults have had night terrors |
Peak | Nightmares are more common in children between the ages of 3 and 6; night terrors are more common before the age of 25 |
Content | Nightmares are easily remembered; night terrors are difficult to remember |
Common themes | Nightmares often involve falling, being chased, or sensing an evil presence; night terrors often involve a vague feeling of panic |
What You'll Learn
- Nightmares occur during REM sleep, while night terrors happen during non-REM sleep
- Nightmares are intense dreams, while night terrors are partial awakenings where one may scream or thrash about
- Nightmares are usually recalled, but night terrors are rarely remembered
- Nightmares are more common in adults, while night terrors are prevalent in children
- Nightmares are linked to stress and trauma, while night terrors are triggered by sleep deprivation, fever, and changes in sleep schedules
Nightmares occur during REM sleep, while night terrors happen during non-REM sleep
Nightmares and night terrors are two distinct sleep conditions with notable differences. While both can be terrifying experiences, it is important to understand that they occur during different stages of the sleep cycle.
Nightmares are unpleasant dreams that evoke strong feelings of terror, fear, distress, or anxiety. They are very common, with an estimated 50% to 85% of adults experiencing occasional nightmares. Nightmares tend to occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stage, which is characterised by vivid dreaming, irregular heartbeat, and increased respiration. The REM stage usually occurs during the early morning, in the last third of the night, and nightmares often happen towards the end of this stage. People usually wake up from nightmares, feeling scared and sometimes still experiencing negative emotions. However, they are generally able to think clearly and recall the dream upon waking.
On the other hand, night terrors are considered a parasomnia, a type of sleep disorder characterised by abnormal occurrences during sleep. They are less common than nightmares, especially in adults. Night terrors typically occur during non-REM sleep, specifically during stage three sleep or deep sleep. This stage is marked by extremely slow brain waves with interspersed faster waves. Night terrors usually happen in the first half of the night, a few hours after falling asleep.
During a night terror episode, a person may sit up in bed with a scared expression, stare wide-eyed, or experience increased heart rate and breathing, sweating, and a flushed face. They may be inconsolable and difficult to wake up. If they do wake up, they are likely to be confused and disoriented. Importantly, people often do not recall their night terrors, although they may have a vague sense of fear or panic.
While nightmares occur during REM sleep, night terrors occur during non-REM sleep, specifically deep sleep. This distinction is a key difference between the two conditions and helps explain the varying levels of consciousness and recall associated with each.
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Nightmares are intense dreams, while night terrors are partial awakenings where one may scream or thrash about
Nightmares and night terrors are two distinct sleep conditions with some important differences. Nightmares are intense dreams that evoke terror, anger, or disgust. They are usually easy to remember and occur during the REM phase of sleep, typically in the last third of the night. On the other hand, night terrors are episodes of partial awakening from slow-wave sleep, often involving extreme stress responses such as screaming or thrashing about. Night terrors occur during non-REM sleep, specifically stage three sleep or deep sleep, and are generally harder to recall.
Nightmares are like scary movies in that they often have a gradual buildup rather than being immediately terrifying. They revolve around threats to one's safety or disturbing content. While nightmares are very common, they only qualify as a mental health concern if they disrupt daily life. Treatment for nightmares may include image rehearsal therapy, talk therapy, or addressing underlying conditions or medications that may be contributing factors.
Night terrors, on the other hand, are considered a parasomnia, a type of sleep disorder characterised by abnormal occurrences during sleep. They are marked by sudden bouts of intense fear, screaming, and thrashing around while still asleep. Night terrors are less common in adults, with a higher prevalence in children, especially those under 13 years old. They tend to occur during the first half of the night and can be triggered by sleep deprivation, stress, fever, or changes in sleep schedules. Treatment for night terrors may involve scheduled awakenings, behavioural therapy, or medication in severe cases.
It is important to note that both nightmares and night terrors can be influenced by stress, sleep deprivation, and certain medications. However, nightmares are more likely to be triggered by consuming scary media or experiencing trauma, while night terrors are often associated with mood or anxiety disorders.
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Nightmares are usually recalled, but night terrors are rarely remembered
Nightmares and night terrors are two distinct sleep conditions with some notable differences. One of the most significant differences is that nightmares are usually recalled in detail upon waking, while night terrors are rarely remembered.
Nightmares are intense dreams that evoke strong emotions such as terror, anger, or disgust. They occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, typically in the last third of the night or early morning, and are often associated with stress and trauma. After a nightmare, individuals tend to wake up in a lucid and alert state, able to remember the dream clearly. While nightmares are common, they only become a mental health concern if they disrupt daytime life.
On the other hand, night terrors are episodes of extreme stress and fear that occur during non-REM sleep, specifically during slow-wave sleep or deep sleep. They are characterised by partial awakening, where individuals may sit up in bed with a scared expression, stare wide-eyed, or exhibit signs of physical distress such as sweating, rapid breathing, and a faster pulse. Night terrors usually happen in the first half of the night and are more common in children than adults. Individuals experiencing night terrors are difficult to wake up and may be confused if awakened. Importantly, night terrors are typically not remembered by the person experiencing them. However, signs of a night terror episode may be evident, such as broken belongings or a dishevelled appearance.
The ability to recall nightmares but not night terrors can be attributed to the different stages of sleep during which they occur. Nightmares occur during REM sleep, a period characterised by vivid dreaming and the consolidation of memories. On the other hand, night terrors occur during non-REM sleep, specifically deep sleep, when the brain is less active and the neurons in the neocortex, responsible for higher mental functions, are less active. This difference in brain activity may explain why night terrors are often not remembered.
While nightmares and night terrors differ in recallability, they share some similarities. Both can be triggered by stress, sleep deprivation, and certain medications. Additionally, they can both impact individuals of all ages, although the prevalence differs, with nightmares being more common in adults and night terrors in children.
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Nightmares are more common in adults, while night terrors are prevalent in children
Nightmares and night terrors are two distinct sleep conditions with notable differences. While nightmares are more common in adults, night terrors are prevalent in children, especially preadolescent boys and children between the ages of three and five.
Nightmares are intense and vivid dreams that evoke feelings of terror, anger, or disgust. They occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, typically in the last third of the night or early morning, and are easily remembered upon waking. While nightmares are common, they only become a mental health concern if they disrupt daily life.
On the other hand, night terrors are episodes of extreme stress, such as screaming or thrashing about, from which individuals only partially awaken. They usually occur during non-REM sleep, specifically deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, in the first half of the night. People experiencing night terrors can be challenging to wake up and may remain confused for several minutes afterward. Night terrors are generally harder to recall, and individuals often have no memory of them.
While nightmares are estimated to affect 50% to 85% of adults occasionally, night terrors are less common in adults. A 1999 study found that 2.2% of 5,000 adults in the United Kingdom reported experiencing night terrors.
In children, however, night terrors are more prevalent. Almost 40% of children will experience night terrors, with a peak prevalence of 34.4% at 18 months of age, according to a 2015 study. The same study also revealed that the prevalence of night terrors decreases with age, dropping to 13.4% by age five and 5.3% by age 13.
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Nightmares are linked to stress and trauma, while night terrors are triggered by sleep deprivation, fever, and changes in sleep schedules
Nightmares and night terrors are two distinct sleep conditions with some important differences. While nightmares are linked to stress and trauma, night terrors are triggered by sleep deprivation, fever, and changes in sleep schedules.
Nightmares are scary dreams that awaken individuals and make them afraid to go back to sleep. They are very common, with 50-85% of adults reporting occasional nightmares. They are characterised by a gradual build-up of fear and tend to occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is when vivid dreaming is most likely to happen. Nightmares may be triggered by consuming scary media, medications, lack of sleep, sleep disorders, and stress. They are especially prevalent among individuals with trauma and people with PTSD.
On the other hand, night terrors are episodes of intense fear, screaming, and thrashing around while still asleep. They are less common than nightmares, affecting about 2% of adults and almost 40% of children, who usually outgrow them by their teen years. Night terrors occur during non-REM sleep, specifically deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, when extremely slow brain waves start to appear. They are often triggered by sleep deprivation, fever, and changes in sleep schedules. They can also be caused by sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, as well as alcohol consumption.
The reactions when waking up from nightmares and night terrors differ significantly. After a nightmare, individuals may wake up feeling scared and experience negative emotions, but they are typically able to think clearly. In contrast, individuals experiencing night terrors may be hard to wake up and may be confused if awakened. Additionally, nightmares are usually easier to remember, while night terrors are often not recalled.
While nightmares and night terrors have distinct triggers and characteristics, they share some commonalities. Both conditions can be influenced by stress, sleep disorders, and medications. Additionally, they can both impact individuals' sleep quality and daytime functioning, especially if they occur frequently.
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Frequently asked questions
Nightmares are scary dreams that awaken people and make them afraid to go back to sleep. They are very common, but they only qualify as a mental health condition if they disrupt your daytime life.
Sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, are episodes where you partially wake up from sleep and may scream or thrash about. They are considered a parasomnia, a type of sleep disorder marked by abnormal occurrences during sleep.
Nightmares occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, while sleep terrors occur during non-REM sleep, specifically deep sleep or slow-wave sleep. People with nightmares typically wake up easily and still feel scared, while those with sleep terrors may be hard to wake up and be confused if awakened.