The simple idea
- Sleepwalking — in deep NREM sleep; the person may sit up, walk, do complex things, look confused, and remember little afterward.
- Sleep (night) terrors — in NREM, with a sudden burst of terror: screaming, sitting up, sweating, racing heart, very hard to console — but little dream recall afterward.
- Nightmares — in REM; the person wakes and can remember the frightening dream.
| Parasomnia | Sleep stage | Recall |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepwalking | deep NREM | little |
| Sleep terror | NREM | little |
| Nightmare | REM | clear |
Night terror vs nightmare (the key pair)
| Night terror | Nightmare | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep stage | NREM | REM |
| Body arousal | Intense (sweat, racing heart) | Milder |
| Memory of it | Usually poor | Usually clear |
| Comforting | Hard during it | Possible after waking |
Quick check ✅
- Which happens in NREM — night terror or nightmare?
- Which one is usually not remembered the next morning?
Remember this 🌟
Where we're going next → A sleep disorder with a very memorable clue — narcolepsy (Concept 38).