When you experience a bad dream, you probably refer to it as a nightmare, but there are actually two types of bad dreams, 'nightmares' and 'night terrors'. Nightmares are long, frightening dreams that often involve feelings of vulnerability or fears of being hurt. They tend to occur more frequently during times of change and emotional stress, and though they can be frightening, they're generally no cause for concern. In contrast, night terrors are episodes of panic, which may cause you to bolt out of bed suddenly, screaming in terror. You may even remain terrified and confused for several minutes after waking, and remember only a single, vivid, and terrifying image. Night terrors can occur from infancy to adulthood, but in adults they're more likely to be related to a medical problem or drug side effects. Episodes also sometimes occur after an accident involving a head injury, and excessive tiredness or stress usually aggravates them. If you think you suffer from night terrors, you should see a physician. In many cases, medication can reduce the frequency of night terror episodes. For more information, consult a health care provider in your area.
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