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The three types of pavor nocturnus are described. Type 1 is characterized by hyper-motility psychotic-like behaviour during the attack, and a retrograde amnesia for it. Type 2 is characterized by a sudden onset of pavor nocturnus following a specific trauma. Type 3 is characterized by the occurrence of nightmares from which the child wakens with anxiety. These children often suffer silently, while the children of the first group are noisy during the attack and disturb the parents. Type 3 might be described as the neurotic variety and related to the nightmare syndromes of the adult. Each type is described in detail and clinical illustrations are presented. In the discussion of type 2 the author presents a theory to explain the repetitive nature of 'traumatic' dreams. According to this hypothesis sleep, to the acutely traumatized child, assumes the significance of a traumatic situation. The memory of the trauma, particularly if it has been repressed, will disturb sleep. The waking up and the active termination of the traumatic situation in the dream represents the belated mastery of the trauma. To continue to sleep under these circumstances would be both unpleasant and dangerous. By waking up reality is restored and the terrifying dream experience dispelled.