Night Terror or Nightmare — How Do You Tell the Difference?
The key difference: during a night terror the child is still asleep — their eyes may be open, but they do not respond to you. With a nightmare they wake up and can often describe what frightened them.
- Night terror: child is asleep, unresponsive — occurs in deep sleep (first half of the night)
- Nightmare: child wakes up, is oriented — occurs during REM sleep (second half of the night)
- Night terror: do not intervene — waking the child prolongs the episode
- Nightmare: comfort and talk — a brief description helps with processing
How can I be sure what is happening?
During a night terror the child often sits upright, screams, sweats, and has open eyes — but is unreachable. This can look alarming to parents, yet it is biologically harmless. Intervening prolongs the episode. Stay nearby, make sure they cannot hurt themselves, and wait.
What helps with a nightmare — and what makes it worse?
What amplifies nightmares: exciting screen content late in the evening, general sleep deprivation, and unprocessed daytime stress. A regular evening ritual with a calm story is the best protection.
Frequently asked questions.
Night terrors have been more frequent for weeks — is that normal?
Clusters are normal during developmental spurts, fever, or sleep deprivation. If episodes occur several times per night or persist for months, a check-up with the paediatrician is recommended.
Should I tell my child about their nightmares?
Only if they ask. A conversation the next morning can help, but do not force it. Some children prefer to leave those images behind.
