What is a "Nightmare" ?

A nightmare is a disturbing dream associated with negative feelings, such as anxiety or fear that awakens you. Nightmares are common in children, but can happen at any age, and occasional nightmares usually are nothing to worry about.

Anxiety and stress are major causes of nightmares. Trauma or upsetting events such as death of a loved one can bring on nightmares. Other causes include a fluctuating sleep schedule, sleep deprivation, jet lag, illness and fever. Side effects of a medication or drug.

Remember, nightmares are not real and they can't hurt you. Dreaming about something scary does not mean it will happen in real life. And it doesn't mean you're a bad person who wants to do mean or scary things. Everyone has nightmares now and then.