What are Night Terrors?

Night terrors are episodes of partial awakening from deep non-REM sleep. A person may sit up, scream, breathe rapidly, sweat, appear terrified, or move around while remaining difficult to comfort or fully awaken. Children experience them more often than adults, and the person commonly remembers little or nothing the next morning.

Night Terrors Versus Nightmares

Night Terror

Usually begins in the first part of the night from deep sleep. The person appears awake but is confused and often has no clear memory.

Nightmare

Usually occurs during REM later in the night. The person wakes more fully and may recall a frightening dream in detail.

What to Do During an Episode

Stay calm and keep your voice low.
Protect the person from stairs, windows, sharp furniture, and other hazards.
Guide rather than restrain unless immediate safety requires intervention.
Avoid forcefully waking the person, which can increase confusion.
Allow the episode to pass and help the person return safely to bed.

Common Triggers

Sleep deprivation, fever, stress, irregular schedules, unfamiliar sleeping environments, and other sleep disorders may increase episodes.

Why Children Often Outgrow Them

Deep-sleep arousal systems mature with age. Many childhood episodes become less frequent as the nervous system develops and sleep becomes more stable.

Make the Bedroom Safer

Secure windows and exterior doors.
Use gates near stairs when appropriate.
Remove sharp or breakable objects beside the bed.
Avoid top bunks for someone who leaves the bed during episodes.
Keep a simple log of timing, duration, illness, and sleep loss.

When to Ask for Medical Help

Seek evaluation when episodes begin in adulthood, occur often, cause injury, include unusual stiffening or repetitive movements, produce major daytime sleepiness, or coexist with loud snoring and breathing pauses. Seizures, sleep apnea, medication effects, and other conditions can sometimes resemble or provoke parasomnias.

Night Terror FAQs

Should I wake a child during a night terror?

Usually no. Focus on safety and calm supervision because forceful waking may increase confusion.

Can stress cause night terrors?

Stress can contribute, but sleep loss, fever, irregular timing, and other factors may also be involved.

Does the person remember the episode?

Often there is little or no memory, unlike a nightmare that may be recalled clearly.