Night Terror

Subject: Mental Health (Theory)

Overview

The onset of night terror, also known as sleep terror, is usually in the first few hours of stage 3–4 non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. It is a sleep condition that causes sensations of horror or dread. Periods of arousal from slow-wave sleep, sometimes referred to as delta sleep, are when night terrors typically occur. Children between the ages of three and twelve are most likely to experience night terrors, with the peak onset occurring in children under the age of three and a half. According to estimates, 1-6% of kids have night terrors.All boys and girls, regardless of background, are equally affected. Typically, they disappear with adolescence. Most children's night terrors eventually go away on their own and do not require treatment. Reassuring the youngster and their family that they will outgrow this disorder may be beneficial. There is some evidence to support the idea that poor sleeping habits or insufficient sleep might cause night terrors. In certain situations, it may be beneficial to increase the child's sleep duration and quality.

Night Terror

The onset of night terror, also known as sleep terror, is usually in the first few hours of stage 3–4 non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. It is a sleep condition that causes sensations of horror or dread. Periods of arousal from slow-wave sleep, sometimes referred to as delta sleep, are when night terrors typically occur. The majority of delta sleep activity occurs in the first half of a sleep cycle, suggesting that those who experience higher delta sleep activity are more likely to experience night terrors. But they can also happen while you're taking a midday nap. Children between the ages of three and twelve are most likely to experience night terrors, with the peak onset occurring in children under the age of three and a half. According to estimates, 1-6% of kids have night terrors. All boys and girls, regardless of background, are equally affected. Typically, they disappear with adolescence.

Sign and Symptoms

  • Substantial enough sleep pattern disruption to require a doctor's help.
  • Scream.
  • Complex motor movements, such as thrashing of the limbs that may include punching, swinging, or running motions.
  • Sleepwalking.

Diagnosis

For a diagnosis of sleep terror disorder under the DSM-IV-TR, [7]

  • Recurring episodes in which the person screams themselves awake from sleep.
  • Intense fear and autonomic arousal symptoms, including as elevated heart rate, labored breathing, and increased sweating, are experienced by the person.
  • During the event, it is impossible to calm or comfort the person.
  • The person has trouble recalling specifics of the dream or incident.
  • When a sleep terror episode occurs, the person has clinically substantial discomfort or functional impairment.
  • The disturbance is not brought on by a substance's side effects or a general health issue.

Treatment

  • Most children's night terrors eventually go away on their own and do not require treatment. Reassuring the youngster and their family that they will outgrow this disorder may be beneficial.
  • In many situations, psychotherapy or counseling can be beneficial.
  • There is some evidence to support the idea that poor sleeping habits or insufficient sleep might cause night terrors. In certain situations, it may be beneficial to increase the child's sleep duration and quality.

Tricyclic antidepressants or benzodiazepines (like diazepam) may be used if this is insufficient; however, medication is only advised in extreme circumstances.
Things to remember
  • The onset of night terror, also known as sleep terror, is usually in the first few hours of stage 3–4 non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. It is a sleep condition that causes sensations of horror or dread.
  • Periods of arousal from slow-wave sleep, sometimes referred to as delta sleep, are when night terrors typically occur.
  • Children between the ages of three and twelve are most likely to experience night terrors, with the peak onset occurring in children under the age of three and a half.
  • According to estimates, 1-6% of kids have night terrors.
  • All boys and girls, regardless of background, are equally affected.
  • Adolescence is when they typically end. Night terrors usually go away on their own and don't need to be treated in kids.
  • Reassuring the youngster and their family that this disorder will pass can be helpful.
  • There is some evidence to support the idea that sleep deprivation or poor sleeping habits may contribute to night terrors.
  • It may be beneficial in these situations to increase the child's sleep duration and quality.
Questions and Answers

Night terror, also known as sleep terror, is a sleep disorder that causes feelings of terror or dread during the first hours of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Night terrors typically occur during arousal from delta sleep, also known as slow-wave sleep.

The DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for sleep terror disorder requires:

  • Recurring periods in which the individual abruptly awakens from sleep with a scream the individual experiences intense fear and symptoms of autonomic arousal such as increased heart rate, heavy breathing, and increased perspiration
  • During the episode, the person cannot be soothed or comforted.
  • The person is unable to recall details of the dream or the episode.
  • The occurrence of a sleep terror episode causes clinically significant distress or impairment in the individual's functioning; the disturbance is not caused by the effects of a substance or a general medical condition.
  • Most children's night terrors resolve on their own and do not require treatment. It may be beneficial to reassure the child and their family that this disorder will pass.
  • In many cases, psychotherapy or counseling can be beneficial.
  • There is some evidence that night terrors can be caused by a lack of sleep or poor sleeping habits. In these cases, it may be beneficial to improve the child's sleep quantity and quality.
  • If this is insufficient, benzodiazepines (such as diazepam) or tricyclic antidepressants may be used; however, medication should only be used in extreme cases.

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