Night Terrors

Night Terrors Understanding Night Terrors in Children and Adults Night terrors (or "sleep terrors") are a type of parasomnia, a disorder that involves undesired events that accompany sleep. Night terrors in children are a more common occurrence than night terrors in adults, and the disorder tends to begin when a child is four to 12 years old. The disorder may affect as many as 6.5 percent of all children, affecting males and females equally. In rare cases, the disorder can begin in adulthood, although overall, only about 2.2% of adults suffer from night terrors. Very few of these patients over the age of 65 have sleep terrors. Common Symptoms of Night Terrors Some of the most common symptoms of night terrors in children and adults include: In children, episodes most often occur in the first third, or during the slow-wave cycle, of sleep. In adults, night terrors can occur at any time in the sleep cycle. Children with sleep terrors will often talk in their sleep and sleepwalk. Adults are also more likely to recall a dream that was a part of the event. In a typical episode, a person will sit up in bed, pierce the night with a "blood-curdling" scream or shout, and commonly kick or thrash. Person has a look of intense fear with eyes wide open and heart racing. Sweating and heavy breathing may be present during an episode. At times, the person may bolt out of bed and run around the house. (This response is more common in adults.) Episode may lead to violent actions. Individuals having an episode will not respond to voices and can be hard to wake up. Upon awakening, the person will be very confused. They may not know where they are or what is going on. Most often, they will not have any memory of what took place. At times, they may recall brief bits of a dream that likely involves great danger or fright. It can take a long time to comfort the patient once the episode is over. Serious and even deadly injury can occur. Attempts to escape from bed or to fight can result in harm to the person or others. Individuals may be embarrassed by the sleep terrors, which can greatly affect their relationships. What Causes Night Terrors? Causes of Night Terrors In children: Delay in maturation of the child's central nervous system Stress Sleep deprivation Caffeine Fever Genetics Certain medications Causes of Night Terrors In adults: Bipolar disorder Anxiety Depression Fever Stress Certain medications Treatment for Night Terrors If the night terrors are infrequent, formal treatment may not be necessary. In children, night terrors are not usually treated as the disorder usually resolves itself before adolescence. Parents may just want to make sure that the child's bedroom is safe should he or she walk around during an episode. For adults who find that night terrors are interfering with their lives, treatment may involve medications such as diazepam (Valium) or another hypnotic medication. If you are concerned about night terrors in yourself or someone you love, consult with your doctor or visit a sleep center for professional diagnosis and treatment. Disclaimer: These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult your physician regarding any sleeping disorders.