Sleep terrors and nightmares are differentiated by when they occur during the night. Sleep terrors occur during the first half of the night out of delta sleep. Nightmares usually occur in the last half of the night out of REM sleep.
Sleep terrors are common in children and often quite distressing for the parents. The episode often begins with a "blood-curdling" scream. The person may seem terrified, bolt out of bed and run around the room. The sleeper is inconsolable and the episode just needs to run its course. The person usually cannot recall the event upon awakening. Nightmares are more common in adults. The sleeper does not get up and move about and will typically recall the dream upon awakening.
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