Do you or your kid wake up in the middle of the night, screaming and thrashing hands and legs in the air? Many adults and kids experience these night terrors or sleep terrors that may look spine-chilling to watch. The scary part? Most people don’t even remember them in the morning.
Scroll down to dive deeper into the meaning of night terrors, understand what triggers these terrifying episodes, and what you can do to calm them down.
What are Night Terrors?
Nighttime terrors are episodes of intense fear, screaming, or flailing that usually happen during deep sleep. They can cause severe distress and a sense of helplessness, with each episode of sleep terrors lasting up to 45 to 90 minutes, according to StatPearls.
Night terrors are most common between the ages of 4 and puberty. However, they are different from nightmare terrors. The difference between the two lies in the sleep phase when they occur, as follows:
- Nightmares occur in the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, they are more vivid and remembered the next day.
- Whereas, night terror disorder occurs in non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, during the first few hours of the sleep, usually leaving no memory of the incident.
Common Symptoms
Spotting night terrors symptoms isn’t too hard if you’re watching somebody experience them. You’ll notice these signs and activities:
- Screaming, shouting, or crying while asleep
- Thrashing, kicking, or even trying to run away
- Fast heart rate
- Waking up soaked in sweat
- Abrupt awakening from sleep
- Eyes open while the person is still asleep
- No memory of these occurring the next morning
But what cooks up these spooky terrors? Find out in the next section.
Possible Causes and Reasons
The cause of sleep terrors isn’t always clear, but according to experts, the possible causes are:
- Genetics: If someone in your family has a history of sleep issues or panic at night, you might be more prone.
- Stress or anxiety: Extreme stress, trauma, or other sleep disorders could be a few of the many night terror reasons in adults.
- Sleep deprivation: Not getting enough sleep can increase stress and lead to sleep terrors.
- Sleep disorders: Issues like sleep apnea are linked with disturbed sleep and the incidence of these nighttime terrors.
- Fever or illness: High fever can trigger sleep terrors in infants and young children.
- Drug abuse: Although stimulants help with better sleep, they may also lead to nightmares or sleep disorders.
Doctors sometimes use the term night terror syndrome to refer to a group of these episodes as part of parasomnias (strange things that happen during sleep).
Treatment for Night Terrors
There is usually no one-size-fits-all sleep terror treatment. However, for adults with severe symptoms, using these strategies can be significantly helpful:
- Maintaining regular bedtimes, taking enough rest, and having a calm sleep environment.
- Therapies to manage stress, such as meditation or relaxation exercises before bedtime, can help.
- In rare cases, antidepressants or sleep medications may be prescribed.
- Fixing issues like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome can reduce episodes.
- Avoid consuming violent or disturbing content or watching such movies at night.
These tips may not magically cure nighttime terrors instantly, but they can help lower their frequency and make nights safer and calmer.
Read More: What is a 10-3-2-1-0 Trick to Hack Your Sleep Cycle?
To Sum Up
Night terrors might look dramatic, but they’re more common and less harmful than most people think. If you or your child has night terror disorder, the most important thing is not to panic. The best you can do is keep the sleep environment safe and avoid keeping any sharp objects nearby. Managing stress, treating underlying health conditions, and using calming therapies, you can reduce the frequency of these episodes and bring back peaceful nights.
