Night Terrors (Sleep Terrors) are intense episodes of fear during sleep, often accompanied by screaming, sweating, and rapid heart rate. Unlike nightmares, individuals typically cannot recall the content of their terror upon awakening and may be difficult to comfort or awaken fully during an episode.
Key Points:
- Population: More common in children (ages 3–8), though they can occur in adults.
- Physiological State: Occur during non-REM (deep) sleep, usually in the first third of the night.
- Triggers: Stress, lack of sleep, fever, certain medications, or sleep disruptions.
- Management: Ensuring proper sleep hygiene, reducing stress, and, in severe cases, consulting a sleep specialist. Usually, children outgrow night terrors without long-term complications.
