Similarities and Differences Between Nightmares and Night Terrors

A lot of parents use the terms nightmares and night terrors interchangeably, but they are two completely different things. A lot of parent feel frustration because they think their child is having nightmares when their child is actually having night terrors, which are often much different and much more intense. Parents who have experienced both can instantly spot the differences, but if you are new at the night time awakenings with a scared toddler you may not be quite sure what you and your child are experiencing.

The Similarities

There are a few similarities between nightmares and night terrors. First and foremost, you may wake up to your child crying and feeling very fearful. Most children have both night terrors and nightmares during their night time sleep and not during their daytime naps, though this isn’t always the case. In addition, both nightmares and night terror peak around the age of three or four. While many people confuse night terrors and nightmares, this is about where the similarities end.

The Differences

There are a lot of differences between night terrors and nightmares. First and foremost, nightmares usually occur during REM sleep while night terrors seem to happen during the transition from REM sleep to non dreaming sleep. In addition, when your child screams from a night terror he or she is not truly awake, but with a nightmare a child will wake up and often be able to talk to you about the dream, though they may be hesitant. Children who have been awakened from a nightmare will find comfort in their parent being with them while a child who is experiencing a nightmare may find that even their parent’s presence is not comforting. Children who are experiencing a night terror will not remember any of it, even the following day, or if they wake up during another time during the night.

In addition, children who are experiencing a night terror may appear terrorized but when you look in their eyes you may see that they are not actually focused on anything. Some children have their eyes opened really wide and will almost appear bug-eyed. Children who are experiencing true night terrors will also have a rapid pulse, they will often be sweating, and they will even have a marked increase in respiration. Attempting to wake a child who is experience a night terror is very difficult and is not necessary. Often just getting the child to get back in bed and talking to them in calm, reassuring them that they will be okay. In time, often just a minute or two or as long as 90 minutes, the child will calm down on their own and drift off into a more restful sleep.

Posted in Toddler Time