After a long day, all we want to do is settle down and get a good night’s sleep in the comfort of your bed. We hope to have sweet dreams, but that is not always the case, and when your sleep is disrupted by a bad dream, it can leave you a little shaken up.
Some bad dreams are worse than others,and such is the case with nightmares or night terrors, that are more disturbing than a typical bad dream.
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More than a Bad Dream
A nightmare is more intense than a bad dream. With a bad dream, you are likely to continue sleeping right through it. You may or may not remember your bad dream when you wake up, but chances are you won’t feel emotionally distressed over it as you would with a nightmare.
A nightmare is a vivid, scary dream that causes you to suddenly wake up. You can usually describe nightmares in clear detail. Nightmares take place during REM sleep, which usually occurs during early morning hours. This type of dream is not normally a reason for concern, but if they occur frequently, they could result in stress or anxiety.
How Night Terrors Differ from Nightmares
One of the best ways to describe a night terror is by saying it is like a nightmare in overdrive. A night terror can make the dreamer feel panicked and experience extreme fear. If you experience a night terror, you might begin shouting or screaming while you are sleeping. You might also thrash around in bed frantically. These terrifying dreams usually occur outside of REM sleep.
Witnessing someone having a night terror can be distressing since the person might seem awake, but they really aren’t. Upon waking, the dreamer might not even remember their horrifying dream. Night terrors are often caused by post-traumatic stress and anxiety.
If nightmares or night terrors are continuously disrupting you or your partner’s sleep, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor.
