Night Terrors

Sleep disturbances, in which a child, usually between the ages of three and eight, abruptly sits up in bed, screams and cries inconsolably, are known as night terrors. These can be quite distressing to parents because the child is not only upset but also disoriented—so disoriented, in fact, that efforts at soothing are futile.

Night terrors are commonly mistaken for nightmares, but there are important differences. A child who wakes from a nightmare may be frightened, but he or she is rarely very disoriented. Some details of nightmares can be recalled, but night terrors are completely forgotten when the child wakes up. Finally, nightmares occur during the dream stage of sleep during the second half of the night, while night terrors seem to occur during the transition stage between the first, deep sleep of the night and the first period of dream sleep. Sleepwalking and sleeptalking also occur at this transition.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING NIGHT TERRORS?
A child in the throes of a night terror may thrash around, moan, scream and sob. The child does not recognize or acknowledge the parents, but the efforts at soothing—particularly touching and holding—may increase the agitation. The child's heart may pound, and breathing may be shallow. An episode may last anywhere from a few seconds to 20 or 30 minutes. Usually, the child simply grows quiet, lies down and relaxes, never fully waking until morning.

WHAT CAUSES NIGHT TERRORS?
Night terrors are not responses to bad dreams or frightening thoughts. They seem, instead, to be caused by immaturity of some part of the central nervous system. Preschoolers are most likely to have night terrors, but babies under age two may also get them.

IS MEDICAL ATTENTION NECESSARY?
You should see a physician if the child's sleep disturbances occur near morning, if the child wakes first and seems to know something is about to happen or if the episode includes body jerking or stiffening. This type of behavior might indicate the presence of a seizure disorder rather than night terrors.

COPING WITH NIGHT TERRORS

• Do not try to wake a child during an episode of night terrors. Let the spell pass, and ease the child back into a sleeping position when it is over.

• Try putting the child to bed earlier or providing a midday nap. Overtiredness may contribute to night terrors.

Excerpt from THE DISNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BABY & CHILD CARE, © 1995 DSH Communications, Inc. This material is based on current medical research and, to the best of the editors' knowledge and understanding, is accurate and valid. However the reader should not use information contained in this material to alter a medically prescribed regimen or as a form of self-treatment, without seeking the advice of a licensed physician.