While both are terrifying, nightmares and night terrors differ greatly.

Here, a sleep doctor shares the difference between the two.

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A person experiencing a night terror may also thrash about or even jump out of bed.

Night terrors are most common in childrenbetween the ages of 3 and 7.

But they can happen at any age, andone to two percent of adults experience them.

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sleep expert and clinical psychologist

What causes a night terror, and whos more prone to them?

There are also strong links to genetics and other parasomnias like sleepwalking.

Firstly, the cardinal rule, like with sleepwalkers, do not wake them up.

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While you shouldnt wake them during the fact, waking them beforehand may help avoid the terror altogether.

For example: Whats the day today?

What did you have for dinner?

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Whats your favorite book?

After that, let them go back to sleep, says Dr. Breus.

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