Night terrors are more severe than nightmares. Night terrors are intense episodes of fear or terror that occur during sleep, usually in the first few hours after falling asleep. They are characterized by sudden awakening, intense fear, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and sweating. Nightmares, on the other hand, are bad dreams that cause feelings of fear, anxiety, or sadness. While both night terrors and nightmares can disrupt sleep, night terrors are typically more intense and can be more difficult to wake from.