Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares are of course, common to those of us who have experienced trauma. One definition of nightmares, is this; "They are dream experiences of a frightening nature, occurring usually in the second half of the night, in a REM sleep stage, and ending with our waking up with a start." Because you are in REM sleep when the nightmare occurs, you usually wake totally alert, and oriented, unlike in night terrors, in which it is often hard to fully wake the person, and they are deeply disoriented. They often deal with what is going on in our waking lives ("In particular, nightmares occur following significant real events in life that are psychologically painful, such as a death in the family or being the victim of an assault. Nightmares are also involved with physical illness, which includes high fever." ), something that survivors know well.

Night terrors are very different from nightmares. "The night terror is usually an event of the early part of the night when most stage 4 is present, while the nightmare can take place in any REM period." It occurs in a deeper, more intense state of sleep, and so it is experienced more intensely than a nightmare. Another difference, is that sufferers of night terrors wake up confused, disoriented, and not fully awake. "Here the dreamer wakes up screaming and still frightened; he is covered with perspiration and is breathing rapidly. The individual is usually unaware of what has just occurred." The onset of the fright occurs suddenly in night terrors, unlike in dreams, where they build up. Another distinction between nightmares and night terrors, is that night terrors usually involve entrapment, rather than being chased. "Some of the most severe night terrors involved being crushed or struck by some sudden force, things closing in or being entrapped in a small area, being left alone or abandoned, and choking or swallowing something..."

Source:
http://www.sawka.com/spiritwatch/borzel.htm

Ways To Cope With a Nightmare or Night Terror:

• Avoid watching or reading triggering material before going to bed. Avoid watching the news right before bed.
  
• Study lucid dreaming. If you have nightmares, there is some possibility that you can learn to control the outcome.
  
• Keep a detailed diary of your nightmares, and what preceeded them. You will eventually pick up on what triggers certain types of nightmares, and perhaps you can control them.
  
• If you wake from a nightmare, put on soothing music, and allow it to relax you, if you can.
  
• If you're so inclined, keep stuffed animals by or in your bed. Something familar and special to you. When you wake up or are afraid, hold onto it. It's one good solution for CSA survivors.
  
• If you are of some religion, try praying about your situation. Giving your fears and worries over to a Higher Power can relax and comfort you. If you are a Christian, read your Bible, particularly the Gospels in the New Testament. Or play a sermon on CD or tape, or put on praise & worship CD. Many Christians report feeling an atmosphere of comfort and safety when they do.
  
• Don't be afraid to ask your partner to hold you in his/her arms. That often is one of the greatest comforts when you are triggered, or frightened.
  

Links:
Night Terrors @ About.com
Night Terrors @ Berkeley Parents Network
Coping With Night Terrors
Night Terrors @ eMedicine.com
Night Terror Resource Center
Dreams and Nightmares
Common Questions About Nightmares
Guidelines for Coping With Nightmares After Trauma
Coping With Nightmares @ Survivors Swindon
Overcoming Nightmares
Flashbacks and Nightmares (Overcoming Them)

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