Night Terror Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Sleep Terror or night terror is a sleep disorder that causes a person to wake up part of their sleep in a state of terror. This causes people who experience it to activate the fight or flight system. People who experience it can wake up sitting up crying or screaming.
Sleep terrors are one of a group of sleep disorders parasomnias. Other disorders that include parasomnias are nightmares, exploding head syndrome, and sleepwalking. Night terrors usually occur during the deepest sleep phase.
Sleep terrors are different from nightmares which are dreams. In sleep terrors, people who experience it are still in the sleep phase, so they are not aware of their surroundings. The sufferer may also not remember the terror at all when he wakes up. Sometimes people with sleep terrors also experience sleepwalking.
Usually sleep terror attacks children aged 3 to 12 years, with the most onset at the age of 3 and a half years. However, sleep terrors can also affect adults – although they are quite rare.
Usually in adults associated with anxiety disorders and drug use. The older usually sleep terrors will disappear by itself.
Sleep terrors in adults are more severe and are associated with other sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up too early. Meanwhile, sleep apnea is a condition of breathing problems while sleeping which usually occurs because the tongue covers the respiratory tract.
Symptoms
Sleep terrors cause a variety of symptoms including:
- suddenly awakened partially or completely from sleep
- shout
- felt an intense terror of unknown origin
- wide open eyes with enlarged pupils
- rapid breathing
- fast heart rate
- blood pressure rises
- sweating
- do not remember the terror incident during sleep
Reason
The exact cause of sleep terrors is still unknown. This condition may be associated with high levels of stress and a lack of quality sleep. Other possible causes include fever, fatigue, medications, migraines and head injuries.
In children, the cause of sleep terrors may be conflict and tension at home. However, sleep terrors in children can also be caused by an underdeveloped nervous system. Thus activating the fight or flight system at the wrong time. Children who sleep in unusual places are more likely to experience sleep terrors.
In adults, sleep terrors can also occur, but they are usually caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety or anxiety, and use of drugs and alcohol.
Diagnosis
The doctor will suspect sleep terrors from the symptoms. Usually, people who experience this don’t need to see a doctor unless enough sleep terrors occur. Especially if it disturbs the child’s sleep and even makes him afraid to sleep.
Sleep terrors that don’t go away when a child is in their teens and start when a person is an adult, should also seek medical help. A complete physical examination and support (EEG, polysomnography, CT- scan, and MRI) may be done to find out if there is a head injury that can also cause sleep terrors.
Treatment
Usually sleep terrors in children do not require treatment. They just need protection and comfort.
When an attack occurs and the child is still half asleep, there is no need to try to wake the child. You can pet your child until the attack ends. Usually, the child will fall back asleep.
However, when a child often experiences sleep terrors and it interferes with the quality of the child’s sleep, you should seek medical help.
Therapies that can be done vary, such as:
- relaxation
- talk therapy
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- hypnosis
- meditation
- soak in hot water
- read
- yoga
- drugs
Sleep disorders associated with sleep terrors, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, also need to be addressed. Insomnia can be treated with medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior changes and routines. Sleep apnea can be treated with the use of CPAP ( continuous positive airway pressure ), mouth aids, and surgery.
Prevention
Preventing sleep terrors is quite difficult because the exact cause of this sleep disorder is not known. Changing your lifestyle can reduce attacks of sleep terrors, such as:
- setting up a safe and comfortable environment for sleeping
- always relax before bed
- try to get more sleep
- lower stress levels
- avoiding activities that might lead to attacks