Night Terrors

Night terrors are abrupt awakenings (or apparent awakenings) from sleep with fear, sweating, rapid heart rate, and confusion.

Strictly speaking, there is a difference between nightmares and night terrors, although the two are often used interchangeably in common conversation. Nightmares are dreams that happen to be frightening or scary. Night terrors aren’t really dreams.

The Latin name for night terror is the rather cool pavor nocturnes. It’s also called sleep terror disorder. Although one of the more disturbing parasomnias for family members of the afflicted, children who get them usually outgrow them.

Both adults and children can get night terrors, but they are more common in children, especially in those age three to five. A person experiencing a night terror or sleep terror abruptly gets up in a terrified state. The person may appear to be awake, but is confused and unable to communicate. He or she may be sweating and breathing fast and the pupils may be dilated. Although the eyes are open, the person is often still asleep. Night terrors last about 15 minutes, after which time the person usually lies down and appears to fall back asleep.

The person usually cannot remember the night terror the next morning, which can make it all the more frustrating for the family members who are awoken by the person in the middle of the night. This amnesia has given rise to myths about possession, which makes night terrors all the more scary. Strong emotional tension and/or the use of alcohol can increase the incidence of night terrors among adults.

Night terror (sleep terror) occurs during Stage 3 and Stage 4 sleep (deep sleep). Episodes are most common in the first third of the night. Nightmares, by contrast, usually occur during REM sleep and are most common in the early morning.

Night terrors are similar to nightmares, but night terrors usually occur during deep sleep. People experiencing sleep terrors may pose dangers to themselves or others because of limb movements. Night terrors are fairly common in children aged three to five. This sleep disorder, which may run in families, also can occur in adults. Strong emotional tension and/or the use of alcohol can increase the incidence of night terrors among adults.

Treatment

In many cases, comfort and reassurance are the only treatment required. Psychotherapy or counseling may be appropriate in some cases. Benzodiazepine sleeping pills (e.g. Valium) can reduce the incidence of night terrors, but doctors are reluctant to prescribe these drugs because of their side effects. Most experts feel a preferable drug is an over-the-counter antihistimine, although even these should be taken only occasionally and in moderation.

Most children outgrow night terrors. There is usually no recall of the event. Stress reduction and/or psychotherapy may be helpful for night terror in adults. Hypnosis and guided imagery techniques have also been used.

The difference between Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares are dreams. meaning they usually (not always) occur in REM sleep and typically late in the sleep period (early morning). Night terrors happen in deep Stage 3 or 4 Non-REM sleep and earlier in the night.

People can remember their nightmares (as much as they can remember any dreams) and can describe them. People cannot remember night terrors when they wake up.

Sleep Disorders

Dyssomnias

Parsomnias