Terrors can be synonymous with nightmares a person encounters when he is sleeping. However in reality, they are two different things although nightmares can be a part of sleep terrors.
Sleepnet.com describes sleep terror as:
Sleep Terrors are characterized by a sudden arousal from slow wave sleep with a piercing scream or cry, accompanied by autonomic (Controlled by the part of the nervous system that regulates motor functions of the heart, lungs, etc.) and behavioral manifestations of intense fear. Also known as Pavor Nocturnus, incubus, severe autonomic discharge, night terror.
Kind creepy isn’t it? But the thing is such happenings that go on in our sleep which we often term as dreams may eventually come to a climax wherein people may not be able to find ways to contain them.
Sleep terrors are not considered that harmful and the only resort that may be made available for patients suffering from it is that of consulting a sleep specialist.
Source: Sleepnet.com’s Rest of Sleep Disorders-Sleep Terrors
