Although frightening, nightmares are not necessarily any cause for concern. They tend to be more frequent at times of change and stress. In addition, some medications may cause a chemical change that may bring out nightmares. In contrast, night terrors are episodes of panic which may cause a sleeper to bolt up suddenly, screaming in terror. He or she may remain terrified and confused for several minutes and remember only a single vivid, terrifying image.
Night terrors can occur from infancy to adulthood.
In adults, night terrors are more likely to be related to a significant problem. Episodes sometimes occur after an accident involving head injury. Occasionally episodes of night terrors occur as a side effect of medication, but they are usually aggravated by excessive tiredness or stress. Some types of medication can reduce the frequency of night terror episodes if they become very serious. Your physician can recommend the best treatment for your particular circumstances.