What It Means
Night terrors, also called sleep terrors, are episodes in which a sleeping child suddenly screams, cries, thrashes or looks terrified, but isn't actually awake. They come out of the deepest stage of non-REM sleep, usually in the first part of the night, and the child won't remember them the next morning. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) counts them among childhood parasomnias, unusual behaviors that happen during sleep.
Try It: Tell a Night Terror From a Nightmare
Flip between the two to compare them, based on the AASM, Cleveland Clinic and HealthyChildren.org.
Usually the first half, from deep non-REM sleep.
Usually the second half, when dreaming is most intense.
No, even with eyes open and screaming.
Yes, they wake up scared.
No memory of it in the morning.
Often, and they may tell you about it.
Stay calm, keep them safe, and don't try to wake them.
Go to them quickly and comfort them.
How Parents Say It
- "She was screaming with her eyes open and didn't know I was there."
- "He has no idea it happened."
- "It's always about an hour after he falls asleep."
The Breakdown
Night terror or nightmare, side by side
| Night terror | Nightmare | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep stage | Deepest non-REM sleep | Dreaming sleep |
| Time of night | Usually the first half | Usually the second half |
| Awake? | No | Yes, wakes up frightened |
| Remembers? | No | Often |
| Your job | Stay calm, keep them safe, let it pass | Comfort and reassure |
By age. Cleveland Clinic and HealthyChildren.org describe children as most prone to night terrors between about 3 and 7 years old. Nightmares are common in childhood too, and they are a different thing, as the table above shows.
During an episode
- Stay calm. Your child won't remember it, however frightening it looks.
- Keep them safe. If they try to get out of bed, gently guide them back.
- Don't try to wake them. Cleveland Clinic and HealthyChildren.org advise against it.
- Wait for it to pass and let them settle back to sleep.
When to talk to the doctor. A Mayo Clinic Q&A says treatment usually isn't needed, but to see your child's health care provider if night terrors regularly disrupt your household. Also call if your child gets hurt during episodes, or you're worried about how often they happen.
Good to Know
Tell babysitters and grandparents about night terrors before an overnight stay, since an episode is alarming to someone who hasn't seen one. Keep the bedroom and the route from it safe for a child who may get out of bed during one: clear floors, and a gate at the top of the stairs if your home needs one.
FAQ
What's the difference between night terrors and nightmares?
A night terror comes from deep non-REM sleep early in the night, and the child isn't awake and won't remember it. A nightmare is a bad dream later in the night that wakes the child, who often remembers it.
Should I wake my child during a night terror?
No. Cleveland Clinic and HealthyChildren.org advise staying calm, keeping your child from getting hurt, and letting the episode pass rather than trying to wake them.
At what age do night terrors happen?
They're most common between about 3 and 7 years old, according to Cleveland Clinic and HealthyChildren.org. If they keep disrupting your household, see your child's health care provider.
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Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Sleep schedule
The set times a person goes to bed and gets up each day, planned so they get the hours of sleep recommended for their age.
- Bedtime battles
The nightly struggle when a child stalls, protests or keeps getting out of bed instead of settling down to sleep at bedtime.
- Sleep regression
A stretch when a baby or toddler who was sleeping fairly well starts waking more at night or fighting sleep, usually for a week or two.
- Nap schedule
The usual pattern of a baby's or toddler's daytime naps: how many, roughly when and for how long, which shifts as the child grows.
Sources
American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Education, "Sleep Terrors"; American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Education, "Afraid and confused: Understanding childhood parasomnias"; Cleveland Clinic, "Night Terrors"; Cleveland Clinic, "When Do Kids Start Having Nightmares?"; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Nightmares, Night Terrors & Sleepwalking in Children: How Parents Can Help"; Mayo Clinic News Network, "Mayo Clinic Q and A: Sleep terrors in children"
- sleepeducation.org/sleep-disorders/sleep-terrors
- sleepeducation.org/afraid-and-confused-understanding-childhood-parasomnias
- my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/night-terrors
- my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/pediatric-nighttime-fears/nightmares
- www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Nightmares-and-Night-Terrors.aspx
- newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-sleep-terrors-in-children
Last updated .