A health condition in which you partially wake up and experience fear and panic symptoms, it is known as a night terror. Sometimes, people may scream, get out of bed, or move around violently. Most people who experience night terrors go back to sleep when the episode is over. However, you will not remember what happened during the previous night. Healthcare professionals may help manage night terrors and prevent the frequency of the episodes.
This condition is also known as a sleep terror and occurs when the brain is partially asleep and partially awake. In most cases, an episode lasts between 1 and 30 minutes, and then the affected person falls back to sleep. Usually, it is difficult for parents, caregivers, or sleeping partners to calm you down during an episode. Generally, night terrors are a type of parasomnia (a group of sleep disorders that negatively affect sleep movements and behavior). Parasomnias often happen during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage of sleep in the first part of the night.
Night Terrors in Children
Children are at increased risk of developing night terrors compared to adults (especially between the ages of 3 and 7). While most of them grow out of this condition when they reach adolescence or adulthood. Moreover, children aren’t consoled or responsive to simple conversations during an episode, which makes it more difficult to calm them. In addition, children who experience night terrors are more prone to sleepwalking later in life.
Night Terrors in Adults
This condition occurs in adults less commonly, and they are more likely to suffer injuries compared to children. Sometimes, people suddenly get out of bed when an episode occurs. Healthcare professionals believe that night terrors in adults occur due to an underlying mental disease, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety disorder.
According to some studies, night terrors affect about 1% to 6.5% of children between the ages of 1 and 12.
Symptoms
Commonly, people with night terrors experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Fast heart rate
- Quick breathing (also known as hyperventilating)
- Screaming or crying
- Sweating
- Sleepwalking
- Violent and fast movements
- Dilated pupils
- Fear
- Panic
- Confusion
- Inability to be comforted or respond to someone else talking
- Difficult waking up
- Not remembering the night terror in the morning
If you or your child experiences any of the previous symptoms, it is advised to contact your healthcare professional right away.
Causes and Risk Factors
While healthcare providers do not fully understand why this condition occurs, some research suggests that night terrors occur when your consciousness gets stuck between deep stages of sleep and wakefulness. When an episode occurs, you are partially awake. That’s why it is usually difficult for someone else to comfort or wake you up. However, doctors identified some factors that may increase your risk of night terrors. Examples include:
- Family history – If you have a parent or sibling who experiences night terrors, your risk of developing them significantly increases.
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Period limb movement disorder
- Irregular sleep
- Major life changes that cause stress
- PTSD
- Some medicines (including sedatives, stimulants, and antidepressants)
- Alcohol and recreational drugs
- Fever
- Emotional tension
What is The Difference between Night Terrors and Nightmares?
Sometimes, night terrors can be easily mistaken for nightmares, but there are some differences between them. For example:
- Night terrors happen during non-REM sleep, you are partially awake, do not remember the dream, and it involves thrashing and screaming.
- Nightmares often occur during REM sleep, you wake up completely, people often remember the dream, and it involves feelings of fear.
What Are The Possible Complications of a Night Terror?
People who develop night terrors may also experience some complications, especially if they do not know about this condition or do not get treatment. Examples include:
- Reduced quality of life
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
- Physical injuries (including thrashing)
- Bruises
- Serious trauma that requires immediate medical attention
- Daytime drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Emotional distress
The previous list does not contain a complete list of night terror complications. However, you can talk with your healthcare professional about ways to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
How Can I Prevent Night Terrors?
There are some strategies often recommended by doctors to improve your sleep hygiene. It may help get the amount of quality sleep you need and reduce the frequency of night terror episodes. Check some examples below:
- Regular sleep schedule and get an age-appropriate amount of sleep
- Do not drink alcoholic or caffeinated drinks before bedtime
- It is also recommended to eliminate all sleep disruptions (including bright lights or loud noises)
- Manage underlying sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
- Move furniture (such as nightstands) or potentially dangerous objects that are located near the bed
Diagnosis
Doctors often will evaluate your medical and family history and will perform a physical examination to get more information about your condition. They may also ask some questions about your symptoms. Usually, if the night terror episode occurs rarely, you may not need treatment. Your doctor may also perform an electroencephalogram (EEG) or overnight sleep study (also called polysomnography) to rule out other disorders that resemble night terrors.
Treatment
In general, there is no specific treatment for everyone. That’s why doctors often prescribe different treatments for people who develop night terrors. It is also very important to manage common triggers, including a lack of sleep, obstructive sleep apnea, fever, and others. Your physician may also recommend some strategies to reduce stress.
Commonly, doctors do not prescribe medicines as a treatment for night terrors. They are often prescribed for an underlying health condition (such as an anxiety disorder).
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a healthcare provider?
If any of the following cases occur with you or your child, immediately visit a healthcare professional. For example:
- Poor sleep quality
- Frequent episodes (several times per week)
- Injuries after an episode
- The night terror episodes are shorter than 1 minute
- Symptoms of other health conditions, including snoring, mouth breathing, excessive daytime sleepiness, and others
Should I try to wake someone up if they have night terrors?
Generally, experts do not recommend waking up someone who has a night terror. However, if you decide to do it, doctors recommend gently guiding them back to bed, speaking to them slowly, quietly, and calmly. In any case, you should stay with a person who experiences night terror to make sure he/she returns to bed safely after an episode.
What are the causes of night terrors?
Experts think there is a combination of disrupted deep sleep (NREM), stress, and underlying problems. The most common triggers are sleep deprivation, fever, schedule changes, emotional tension, and other sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea). If you have any other additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
