Nightmares vs Night Terrors
Ah, the joys of parenting. As if it isn’t enough to worry about the occasional scrape and skinned knee, parents need to be aware of the difference between nightmares and night terrors in children. You just heard your child screaming at the top of their lungs, but you can't tell if it's a nightmare or a night terror. Don't worry--you're not alone! It can be difficult to distinguish between the two. It’s not always easy to tell them apart. Both can cause distress for both you and your child.
So let's go ahead and take a look at what separates a nightmare from a night terror in this Nightmares vs Night Terrors in Children blog so you know when it’s time to panic.
What is a Nightmare?
A nightmare is a dream that causes fear or anxiety during sleep. Nightmares typically occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) phase of sleep. Which is why they are often more vivid and impactful than regular dreams. They are usually caused by stress or fear, so they may have specific elements that put your child on edge even after they wake up. Nightmares can cause a lot of distress for children; they may become scared of going back to bed or may be reluctant to talk about what happened in their dream. Despite this, nightmares are generally harmless. If your child wakes up from a nightmare, simply provide comfort and reassurance until they fall asleep again.
What is a Night Terror?
Night terrors are different from nightmares because they usually occur during non-REM sleep—typically within an hour or two after falling asleep. These can last anywhere from five minutes to half an hour. During this period, your child will be in an agitated state but will still be asleep. Although their eyes may be open. It won't look like they're actually seeing anything around them. Night terrors typically occur during non-REM sleep. They last anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour depending on how long it takes for the child to wake up or go back to sleep. Unlike nightmares, night terrors usually involve partial arousals from deep sleep with little recollection of what happened upon waking up. They also may not remember any details upon waking up.
Night terrors tend to run in families. If one parent had night terrors as a child, there's a good chance their own children will experience them as well. This doesn't mean that every family member has issues with night terrors. It simply means that there's an increased risk for children who come from such families. It's important to note that night terrors can sometimes look like seizures due to their intensity. If this happens to your child you should seek medical attention right away.
The Treatment Plan
Both nightmares and night terrors can be frightening for both parents and children alike. That said, there are ways to manage both conditions without resorting to medication or other forms of treatment. For example, creating a safe sleeping environment helps reduce stress levels which in turn decreases the chances of either type of event occurring in the first place. Additionally, developing a consistent routine prior to bedtime can help make sure your child is getting enough rest as well as providing them with comfort when they need it most.
If your kid is regularly suffering from night terrors, try giving them a little pre-emptive wakeup call. Around 15–30 minutes before. It may help interrupt the cycle and give them more restful sleep! If your child experiences frequent night terrors—more than once every few weeks. You should speak with your pediatrician about possible treatments or therapies available for them.
Conclusion
Being able to distinguish between nightmares and night terrors is important. Especially when it comes to knowing how best to help your child manage their sleep disturbances. While both can be distressing for both parent and child alike, each requires slightly different approaches in order for the best outcome possible.
With some knowledge on the matter under your belt, you'll know exactly when it's time to panic!
Nightmares and night terrors are both scary events that affect many children across different age ranges. But knowing how to differentiate between them can help you better manage them without resorting to medication or therapy right away!
Developing healthy habits such as the below may all help reduce occurrences of either type of event occurring in the first place.
-Creating a safe sleeping environment
-Developing consistent routines before bedtime
-Talking with your doctor
Giving both you and your child some much needed peace of mind! So here is all you needed to understand what would Nightmares vs Night Terrors in Children looks like.