Describe The Differences Between Night Terrors And Nightmare ✓ Solved

Describe The Differences Between Night Terrors And Nightmares

Describe the differences between night terrors and nightmares. Your response should be at least 75 words in length. You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response (APA Style). All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Book: Nevid, J. S., Rathus, S. A., & Green, B. (2011). Abnormal psychology in a changing world (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN:

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Night terrors and nightmares are both sleep disturbances, but they exhibit distinct characteristics. Nightmares typically occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep, where vivid and often frightening dreams take place (Nevid, Rathus, & Green, 2011). Individuals experiencing nightmares usually awaken fully, recalling the disturbing content easily. In contrast, night terrors occur during non-REM sleep, predominantly in the first few hours of sleep. During a night terror episode, individuals may scream, thrash, or exhibit signs of extreme fear, but generally do not remember the episode upon waking (Nevid et al., 2011).

Narratively, nightmares can provoke long-lasting fear or anxiety about future sleep episodes. They often occur when the individual is experiencing stress or when they have been exposed to traumatic events. According to Nevid et al. (2011), the common age for nightmares is during childhood, though they can persist into adulthood, heavily influenced by life experiences and mental health conditions. The contents of nightmares are often narrative-based and can stem from daily experiences or trauma, making them more relatable but also psychologically impactful.

In contrast, night terrors primarily affect children, usually between ages 3 and 12, but can also occur in adults. The individual is often inconsolable and exhibits rapid heart rates and intense fear, sometimes sitting up in bed and looking terrified despite being unaware of their surroundings (Nevid et al., 2011). Unlike nightmares, those experiencing night terrors do not recall the event in detail and often return to sleep peacefully. They are more related to issues such as sleep deprivation, fever, or certain medications rather than psychological stress (Nevid et al., 2011).

Another key difference lies in the emotional response. Nightmares elicit fear and anxiety upon awakening, leaving the individual with a sense of lingering dread or distress throughout the day (Nevid et al., 2011). This is exacerbated in those with pre-existing anxiety disorders, where nightmares can be recurrently distressing. Conversely, individuals waking from night terrors often return to sleep without conscious knowledge or recollection of the episode, which leads to less emotional fallout but can disturb parents or other household members due to the intensity of the child's response.

In evaluating treatment, the approach for nightmares often involves therapy options such as imagery rehearsal therapy, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and sometimes medication that addresses underlying psychological issues (Nevid et al., 2011). Night terrors may require a different approach, centered around improving sleep hygiene, addressing any identifiable triggers such as stress or illness, and providing reassurance to both the child and their caregivers (Nevid et al., 2011). In some cases, monitoring may be all that is needed, as many children outgrow night terrors as their sleep patterns mature.

In summary, while both night terrors and nightmares are associated with sleep disruptions that cause distress, they differ in their physiological nature, emotional impact, and treatment approaches. Nightmares are vivid dreams that lead to awakenings and recall, whereas night terrors are episodes of fear and panic occurring in non-REM sleep, typically without recollection. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective management and support for those affected.

References

• Nevid, J. S., Rathus, S. A., & Green, B. (2011). Abnormal psychology in a changing world (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.