Sleep Terrors – What is it?

Sleep terrors/night terrors occur in the first few hours of sleep during phase just before deep sleep called the slow-wave sleep phase. The terror is brought on when the person feels a deep sense of terror and fear that they cannot shake. Sleep terrors are more common in adults than children.

People who have sleep terrors experience intense episodes of sitting up and screaming in the middle of the night. These episodes can also involve kicking and thrashing while screaming, all done with an intense look of fear on their face. Sufferers may run around the house and usually have their eyes wide open and are very difficult to wake up. They will not respond to voices and are prone to violent behavior during an episode. Unlike with nightmares, once the sufferer does wake up, they will be very confused and most often will only not be able to remember anything. When they wake they will be experiencing extreme fear, and it can take a long to comfort them after an episode.

What causes it?

The major causes of sleep terrors include:

  • Sleep deprivation
  • Physical or emotional stress
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
  • Travel
  • Sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings
  • Alcohol use and abuse
  • Certain mental illnesses

You’ll notice that these are the same causes as for sleepwalking. These two parasomnias are very similar in their cause, those most at risk, and their treatment.

Possible Solutions

Finding a solution for your sleep terrors often requires a multi-faceted approach. Some effective approaches include:

  • Practice Good Sleep Hygiene – Reduce the potential for sleep terrors by making sure you are getting adequate sleep and aren’t experiencing fatigue, follow a regular bedtime routine, and create a comfortable, safe sleeping environment.
  • Minimize Stress – You can try minimizing the amount of stress in your life using methods such as meditation, yoga, relaxation therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, or cognitive behavioral therapies.
  • Anticipatory Awakening – If your sleep terrors occur at about the same time every night, try setting an alarm 10-30 minutes before you usually experience the episode to interrupt the cycle.
  • Resolve Underlying Conditions – Sleep terrors are often accompanied by other sleep disorders or mental health conditions. Treating those conditions can effectively resolve the sleep terrors.

Why get treatment?

Sleep terrors require treatment when they pose a risk to the safety to the sufferer or those around them, cause routine sleep disruptions resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness, or increase in frequency. Following up with a sleep specialist can help address the underlying cause of the sleep terrors or minimize the dangers of them.

If you are experiencing night terrors due to certain mental illnesses, like PTSD, then it is important to speak with a doctor who may want to prescribe medication to treat the PTSD, which can help treat sleep terrors.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.