Nightmares are the bad dreams that are so intense; they wake you up with a feeling of fear, sadness, anger, or anxiety.
Both adults and children can experience these nightmares.
While in one, screaming and body jerking are commonplace.
Children may sleepwalk or wet the bed.
Adults can also manifest bizarre actions while asleep.
Whatever the age group is, sufferers often find themselves exhausted from the experience and often unable to go back to sleep.
Several factors are considered as triggers.
Both children and adults experiencing it may have unresolved emotional issues or traumatic experiences.
This is a common feature of post-traumatic stress disorder.
For a child, a traumatic event can be a simple loss of a toy, which may be interpreted by the parents as trivial.
For an adult, it may be some life-changing event that leaves him or her emotionally shattered.
Side effects from prescription drugs and drug or liquor addiction can also provoke nightmares.
Although a nightmare can easily be downplayed as 'just a bad dream,' a child or adult who experiences it should be given the proper attention, especially if it recurs.
It is helpful if parents have time to discuss and be open with their children.
Adults should seek ways to share these experiences or get professional help.
Medication may not be the answer to totally get rid of the nightmares.
There are therapies available to teach children and adults alike on how to cope with a nightmare and its outcome without becoming a victim.
It can be a change of attitude.
For the person that goes through it, a nightmare can be interpreted through either a case of a glass-half-empty or glass-half-full perspective.
The unpleasant emotional response that a bad dream sets off can help improve one's life.
Other techniques attempt to drill down on the psychological issues to find ways to deal with the causes of those bad dreams.