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"Pavor Nocturnus" redirects here, for the Sanctuary episode, see Pavor Nocturnus (Sanctuary)

A night terror, also known as a sleep terror or pavor nocturnus, is a parasomnia disorder characterized by extreme terror and a temporary inability to regain full consciousness. The subject wakes abruptly from slow-wave sleep, with waking usually accompanied by gasping, moaning, or screaming. It is often impossible to awaken the person fully, and after the episode the subject normally settles back to sleep without waking. A night terror can rarely be recalled by the subject. They typically occur during non-rapid eye movement sleep.

[edit] In children

Children from age two to six are most prone to night terrors, and they affect about fifteen percent of all children,^[1] although people of any age may experience them. Episodes may recur for a couple of weeks then suddenly disappear. The symptoms also tend to be different, like the child being able to recall the experience, and while nearly arisen, hallucinate. Strong evidence has shown that a predisposition to night terrors and other parasomniac disorders can be passed genetically. Though there are a multitude of triggers, emotional stress during the previous day and a high fever are thought to precipitate most episodes. Ensuring the right amount of sleep is an important factor. Night terrors may also be caused by stress and constipation and other irregular bowel movements or lack thereof. Special consideration must be used when the subject suffers from narcolepsy, as there may be a link.

[edit] Common elements

A typical night terror episode usually occurs in the first hour of sleep. The child sits up in bed and screams, appearing awake but is confused, disoriented, and unresponsive to stimuli. Although the child seems to be awake, the child does not seem to be aware of the parents' presence and usually does not talk. The child may thrash around in bed and does not respond to comforting by the parents. The child's heart rate can escalate during the terror, along with sweating and harsh breathing. ^[1]

Most episodes last only a few minutes, but they may last up to 3 hours before the child relaxes and returns to normal sleep.

In some cases the night terror could be recalled by the person, depending on age and the nature of the episode.

[edit] Treatment

Since night terrors are most commonly triggered by being overtired, sometimes no treatment is necessary except for a bedtime schedule that ensures proper sleep. If the night terrors are more frequent, however, it has been suggested that the sufferer should be awakened from sleep just before the time when the terrors occur most to interrupt the sleep cycle. ^[1]

[edit] In adults

Though the symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are similar, the etiology, prognosis and treatment are qualitatively different. These night terrors can occur each night if the sufferer does not eat a proper diet, get the appropriate amount of sleep, is enduring stressful events in their life or if they remain untreated. Adult night terrors are much less common, often trauma-based rather than genetic, chronic, and often respond to treatment in the form of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. There is some evidence of a link between adult night terrors and hypoglycemia.[1]

In addition to night terrors, some adult night terror sufferers have many of the characteristics of abused and depressed individuals including inhibition of aggression,^[2] self-directed anger,^[2] passivity,^[3] anxiety, impaired memory,^[4] and the ability to ignore pain.^[5]

[edit] See also

• Sleep paralysis

[edit] Bibliography

• Carranza, Christopher. Banishing Night Terrors and Nightmares Kensington Books, 2004.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Night Terror Resource Center
• eMedicine Health: Night Terrors
• National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus: Night Terrors
• National Library of Medicine - Medical Subject Headings: Night Terrors