The short answer
A night terror is a sleep disorder in which a person, usually a child, wakes abruptly in a terrified state: screaming, crying, thrashing, sweating and with a racing heart, but not truly awake and not responding normally. It usually lasts a few minutes, the person falls back asleep and, by morning, remembers nothing. In most cases it is temporary and fades with age.
Read also: Nightmares: why they happen and Sleep paralysis.
Who gets them and when
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's medical encyclopedia, night terrors are most common between ages 3 and 7 and much less common after that. They can run in families and may also occur in adults, especially during emotional stress or with alcohol use. They tend to happen in the first third of the night, often between midnight and 2 a.m. Possible triggers include fever, lack of sleep and periods of emotional tension.
Source: MedlinePlus, Night terrors in children.
Night terror or nightmare?
| Night terror | Nightmare | |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | Early part of the night | More in the second half of the night |
| Does the person wake up? | Not really; looks awake but is confused | Yes, wakes up and knows where they are |
| Remembered afterward? | Usually remembers nothing | Usually remembers the dream |
| Response to comfort | May not recognize parents and may push away | Accepts comfort and can describe the dream |
| Most common age | Children 3 to 7 | Any age |
Nightmares have their own explanation and treatment, covered in nightmares: why they happen and how to have fewer.
What to do in the moment
- Stay calm and keep them safe: move objects away and make sure your child cannot fall out of bed or get hurt.
- Avoid forcing them awake: trying to wake them usually makes them more confused; stay close until the episode passes.
- Do not quiz them in the morning: they will not remember, and pressing can make them anxious.
- Protect sleep: regular bedtimes and enough sleep reduce episodes, since sleep loss is a known trigger.
When to see a doctor
Talk to your pediatrician or a sleep specialist if episodes are frequent, regularly disrupt sleep, come with other symptoms such as loud snoring or pauses in breathing, or if the person gets hurt or nearly gets hurt. Repeated episodes in adults also deserve an evaluation. Waking up unable to move is something else: sleep paralysis.
Source: MedlinePlus, Night terrors in children.
Read also: the feeling of a presence in the room.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Night terrors in children. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000809.htm
- Morgenthaler TI et al. Position Paper for the Treatment of Nightmare Disorder in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Position Paper. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2018. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.7178
Frequently asked questions
Are night terrors dangerous?
In most cases, no. They are common in children and tend to fade with age. The main concern is preventing injury.
Should I wake my child during a night terror?
Usually there is no need to force them awake. Stay close and keep them safe until it passes.
What is the difference between a night terror and a nightmare?
During a night terror the person does not truly wake and does not remember; with a nightmare they wake up and remember the dream.
Can adults have night terrors?
Yes, especially during stressful periods or with alcohol use. Repeated episodes deserve a medical evaluation.
