Night terror facts for kids
A night terror is a sleep problem that makes a person feel extremely scared and unable to fully wake up. It's different from a bad dream. When someone has a night terror, they might suddenly sit up in bed, gasping for air, making sounds, or even screaming. It can be very hard to fully wake them up during this time. After the terror passes, the person usually goes back to sleep without remembering what happened. Night terrors happen during a deep part of sleep called non-REM sleep.
Contents
What Are Night Terrors?
Night terrors are a type of sleep disorder. They are also known as sleep terrors. They cause a strong feeling of fear and make it hard for someone to fully wake up. Unlike nightmares, which happen during REM sleep (when you dream), night terrors happen during a deeper sleep stage. People rarely remember having a night terror, but they often remember nightmares.
What Happens During a Night Terror?
When a night terror occurs, a person might:
- Suddenly wake up with a loud scream or cry.
- Have a very fast heartbeat and heavy breathing.
- Sweat a lot.
- Look scared or confused.
- Sit up, thrash around, or even run around the room.
- Not respond to attempts to comfort or wake them.
- Not recognize people around them.
Even though it looks like the person is awake, they are not fully conscious. They are still partly asleep. Trying to wake them up completely can make the terror worse or make them more confused.
Who Gets Night Terrors?
Night terrors are more common in young children, usually between the ages of 3 and 12. They can also happen in teenagers and adults, but this is less common. Boys and girls can both experience night terrors. They often run in families, meaning if a parent had them, their child might too.
Why Do Night Terrors Happen?
The exact cause of night terrors isn't fully known. However, some things can make them more likely to happen:
- Lack of sleep: Being very tired can trigger night terrors.
- Stress or anxiety: Feeling worried or stressed can play a role.
- Fever: Being sick with a fever can sometimes cause them.
- Certain medicines: Some medications might increase the risk.
- Other sleep problems: Conditions like sleep apnea (when breathing stops briefly during sleep) can be linked to night terrors.
Night Terrors vs. Nightmares
It's easy to confuse night terrors with nightmares, but they are different:
- Nightmares happen during REM sleep. You usually wake up from a nightmare and remember the scary dream. You might feel scared but you are fully awake.
- Night terrors happen during deep non-REM sleep. The person is not fully awake and usually does not remember the event. They seem to be in a state of panic or fear, but they are still mostly asleep.
How to Help Someone Having a Night Terror
If you see someone having a night terror, here's what you can do:
- Stay calm: It can be scary to watch, but remember the person is not in danger.
- Do not try to wake them up: This can make them more agitated or confused.
- Guide them gently: If they are moving around, gently guide them back to bed to prevent injury. Do not restrain them.
- Speak softly: Use a calm, reassuring voice if you need to speak.
- Wait it out: The episode usually lasts only a few minutes. They will likely settle back to sleep on their own.
- Ensure safety: Make sure their sleeping area is safe, with no sharp objects they could bump into.
If night terrors happen often or are very severe, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor. They can offer advice or suggest ways to help.
Images for kids
-
Frans Verhas, Inconsolable, 1878 (Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp)
See also
In Spanish: Terror nocturno para niños
