Quiet nights can become disturbing when sleep is interrupted by frightening episodes. Both nightmares and night terrors are common phenomena, but it is crucial to differentiate between them to properly understand and address these sleep disorders. As with sleep regressions, these are processes that, although they cause alarm, will tend to disappear on their own. But what are the differences between these sleep disorders? We detail it below.

Night terrors occur during the first third of the night, the period of time that corresponds to the deepest phases of sleep. On the contrary, nightmares are complex daydreams that we have during the REM sleep phases, in the last third of the night.

Night terrors usually begin with a scream or cry and last for a few minutes of agitation in which children breathe rapidly, sweat or have tachycardia, among other signs of fear. Those who suffer from them may have their eyes open and gaze fixed, although they appear impassive to external stimuli. After these episodes we can wake up quite confused.

Nightmares, when they occur during phases of light sleep, can also confuse us to the point that we cannot discern what is real from what is not. Likewise, signs such as sweating or tachycardia may occur, according to the Spanish Pediatric Association. It is common to wake up nervous, scared and have difficulty going back to sleep.

Nightmares are dreams, whether congruent or not, that children are able to remember and describe in detail when they wake up. Meanwhile, night terrors are indescribable fears, which we are unable to associate with a complete theme or experience, and are easily forgettable. Normally, they begin and end during sleep, without waking us up.

Poor and irregular sleep, the presence of a high fever, stress or the consumption of psychotropic drugs, among other causes, can cause night terrors to appear. Family history may also play a role. Nightmares, on the other hand, are more associated with situations of emotional conflict or the experience of traumatic episodes.

Although both tend to disappear over time, the best remedy to avoid night terrors and nightmares is to maintain good sleep hygiene. Naps and horror-themed movies or television series can negatively influence our rest. Instead, taking a relaxing bath or reading a book before going to bed will help us sleep better.

If we live with people who suffer from night terrors, the best thing we can do is stay by their side in silence and not wake them during these episodes. On the other hand, nightmares are especially common among children between six and ten years old, who can create reluctance when going to bed. That is why it is crucial to calm them down after nightmares and try to identify the reason for their concern to address it with them during the day.