What is a common experience for patients enduring sleep terrors?

Patients experiencing sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, typically undergo a significant episode characterized by intense fear and distress during sleep. A defining feature of this phenomenon is that individuals may suddenly wake up in a state of terror and often scream or shout without having a clear understanding of the event. They may exhibit physical signs of fear, such as increased heart rate and sweating, and are typically unable to recall the specifics of the episode afterward. This disconnection from the experience is a hallmark characteristic of sleep terrors, distinguishing them from nightmares, where individuals can usually remember the content of the dream vividly upon waking.

In contrast, vivid dreaming is more associated with REM sleep and is not a feature of sleep terrors, as these episodes occur during non-REM sleep. Waking up confused does happen in sleep disorders but is more related to other conditions, such as sleep inertia or confusion arousals. Feeling rested after sleep is generally not associated with sleep terrors, as these episodes can disrupt sleep quality and lead to daytime fatigue instead. The nature of sleep terrors highlights the disruption and fear experienced, making the chosen answer particularly relevant.