You're more likely to have a nightmare in the second half of your night. Nightmares may occur rarely or more frequently, even several times a night. Episodes are generally brief, but they cause you to awaken, and returning to sleep can be difficult. A nightmare may involve these features:  Your dream seems vivid and real and is very upsetting, often becoming more disturbing as the dream unfolds. Your dream storyline is usually related to threats to safety or survival, but it can have other disturbing themes. Your dream awakens you. You feel scared, anxious, angry, sad or disgusted as a result of your dream. You feel sweaty or have a pounding heartbeat while in bed. You can think clearly upon awakening and can recall details of your dream. Your dream causes distress that keeps you from falling back to sleep easily.  Nightmares are only considered a disorder if you experience:  Frequent occurrences Major distress or impairment during the day, such as anxiety or persistent fear, or bedtime anxiety about having another nightmare Problems with concentration or memory, or you can't stop thinking about images from your dreams Daytime sleepiness, fatigue or low energy Problems functioning at work or school or in social situations Behavior problems related to bedtime or fear of the dark  Having a child with nightmare disorder can cause significant sleep disturbance and distress for parents or caregivers. When to see a doctor Occasional nightmares aren't usually a cause for concern. If your child has nightmares, you can simply mention them at a routine well-child exam. However, consult your doctor if nightmares:  Occur frequently and persist over time Routinely disrupt sleep Cause fear of going to sleep Cause daytime behavior problems or difficulty functioning 
you're likely nightmare second half night  nightmares may occur rarely frequently  times night  episodes generally brief  cause awaken  returning sleep can difficult  nightmare may involve features:  dream vivid real upsetting  disturbing dream unfolds  dream storyline threats safety survival  can disturbing themes  dream awakens you  feel scared  anxious  angry  sad disgusted result dream  feel sweaty pounding heartbeat bed  can think clearly awakening can recall details dream  dream causes distress keeps falling back sleep easily   nightmares only considered disorder experience:  frequent occurrences major distress impairment day  anxiety persistent fear  bedtime anxiety nightmare problems concentration memory  can't thinking images dreams daytime sleepiness  fatigue low energy problems functioning work school social situations behavior problems bedtime fear dark  child nightmare disorder can cause significant sleep disturbance distress parents caregivers  see doctor occasional nightmares aren't cause concern  child nightmares  can simply mention routine well-child exam  however  consult doctor nightmares:  occur frequently persist time routinely disrupt sleep cause fear going sleep cause daytime behavior problems difficulty functioning 
nightmare disorder