Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually wake a person and are often remembered. Night terrors, also called sleep terrors, are parasomnias involving partial arousal from deep non-REM sleep. A person may scream, sit up, thrash, sweat, or appear terrified while remaining largely asleep.
At Paramount Healthcare Services in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Chidiogo Nwokike, DNP, PMHNP-BC, evaluates and treats frequent nightmares, night terrors and related sleep problems in children, teens and adults, especially when they are linked to anxiety, trauma, PTSD or other mental health conditions.
Nightmares generally occur during REM sleep, often later in the night. Night terrors typically arise from deep N3 non-REM sleep earlier in the night. Nightmares are commonly recalled; night terrors usually leave little or no memory.
Frightening dreams, abrupt awakening, fear or anxiety, sweating, rapid heartbeat, difficulty returning to sleep, and daytime fatigue.
Sudden screaming, sweating, thrashing, confusion, sleepwalking, difficulty waking, and little recall afterward.
Common triggers for nightmares and night terrors include:
Night terrors are more common in children and often improve with age. Nightmares affect both children and adults. Episodes that begin in adulthood, cause injury, involve unusual movements, or produce significant daytime sleepiness should be evaluated.
Nightmare disorder involves recurrent disturbing dreams that cause significant distress or interfere with sleep or daytime functioning. Symptoms may contribute to fear of sleeping, fatigue, concentration problems, or mood changes.
Nightmares and night terrors belong to a group of sleep behaviors called parasomnias. Others include sleepwalking, sleep talking and confusional arousals, which usually happen during deep non REM sleep, and REM sleep behavior disorder, where a person physically acts out dreams. REM sleep behavior disorder in adults should always be evaluated, because it can be linked to other medical conditions.
Frequent nightmares often overlap with insomnia, sleep apnea and restless legs. If trouble sleeping is part of the picture, our guide on sleep medications explains when they can help.
Evaluation may include sleep patterns, episode timing and frequency, medical and psychiatric history, current medications, alcohol and substance use, trauma exposure and daytime effects such as fatigue or fear of going to sleep. A sleep diary kept for one to two weeks can be very helpful. Clinicians also consider other conditions that look like parasomnias, such as nighttime seizures. When another sleep disorder like sleep apnea is suspected, a referral for an overnight sleep study (polysomnography) with a Las Vegas sleep medicine specialist may be recommended.
Treatment depends on the cause, severity, safety concerns, and related conditions.
These approaches are available through our therapy services and referral network.
Medication is not routinely required, especially for children with occasional night terrors. When nightmares are severe, frequent or linked to PTSD or another psychiatric condition, your provider may discuss options after a full evaluation. Prazosin is sometimes used for trauma related nightmares, and treating underlying anxiety or depression can also reduce nightmares. We also review your current medications, since some can cause vivid dreams, and adjust them when it is safe to do so through medication management.
Consistent sleep times, adequate sleep, a calming bedtime routine, and identifying triggers may help reduce episodes.
Stay calm and prioritize safety. Remove nearby hazards and gently guide the person away from danger. Avoid forcefully waking, shaking, or restraining them unless safety requires it.
Seek evaluation when episodes are frequent, cause injury, repeatedly disrupt sleep, begin in adulthood, or cause significant daytime impairment.
Paramount Healthcare Services is located at 1705 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104. We see patients from across the Las Vegas Valley, including Henderson, Summerlin and North Las Vegas, and offer secure telehealth visits for patients in Nevada, with same day telehealth and evening appointments available. Night shifts and irregular schedules are common in Las Vegas, so we build sleep plans that fit real working hours.
We accept Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare and Medicaid, and offer affordable cash pay options.
If nightmares or night terrors are disrupting sleep for you or your child, schedule a confidential evaluation with Paramount Healthcare Services. Call +1 (702) 514-4057, email support@paramounthcslv.com or book online.
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