Sleep: Night Terrors

What are night terrors?

Night terrors are an inherited disorder in which a child tends to have dreams during deep sleep from which it is difficult to awaken. They occur in 2% of children and usually are not caused by psychological stress. Getting overtired can trigger night terrors. Night terrors usually occur in children 1 to 8 years old.

A night terror usually begins 1 to 2 hours after going to sleep and lasts from 10 to 30 minutes. During a night terror, your child may:

• be agitated and restless but cannot be awakened or comforted
• sit up or run helplessly about, possibly screaming or talking wildly
• not appear to realize you are there even though his or her eyes are wide open and staring
• mistake objects or persons in the room for dangers.

In the morning, your child cannot remember what happened.

How long do they last?

Night terrors usually occur within 2 hours of bedtime. Night terrors are harmless and each episode will end of its own accord in deep sleep. The problem usually disappears by age 12 or sooner.

How can I help my child?

• Try to help your child return to normal sleep.

  Your goal is to help your child go from agitated sleep to a calm sleep. You won't be able to awaken your child, so don't try to. Turn on the lights so that your child is less confused by shadows. Make soothing comments such as, "You are all right. You are home in your own bed. You can rest now." Speak calmly and repetitively. Such comments are usually better than silence and may help your child refocus. Some children like to have their hand held during this time, but most will pull away. Hold your child only if it seems to help your child feel better.

  There is no way to abruptly shorten the episode. Shaking or shouting at your child will just cause the child to become more agitated and will prolong the attack.

• Protect your child against injury.

  During a night terror, a child can fall down a stairway, run into a wall, or break a window. Try to gently direct your child back to bed.

• Prepare babysitters for these episodes.

  Explain to people who care for your child what a night terror is and what to do if one happens. Understanding this will prevent them from overreacting if your child has a night terror.

How can I help prevent night terrors?

• Keep your child from becoming overtired.

  Sleep deprivation is the most common trigger for night terrors. For preschoolers, restore the afternoon nap. If your child refuses the nap, encourage a one-hour "quiet time." Also avoid late bedtimes because they may trigger a night terror. If your child needs to be awakened in the morning, that means he needs an earlier bedtime. Move lights out time to 15 minutes earlier each night until your child can self-awaken in the morning.

• Use prompted awakenings for frequent night terrors.

  If your child has frequent night terrors and is over 6 years old, you can try using a method of waking your child up at night before the night terror occurs. This method helps eliminate the problem in about 90% of children. For several nights, note how many minutes elapse from the time your child falls asleep to the onset of the night terror. Then begin awakening your child every night 15 minutes before the expected time of the night terror. Remind your child to "wake up fast." Keep your child fully awake and out of bed for 5 minutes. Continue these prompted awakenings for 7 nights in a row. If the night terrors return when you stop awakening your child, repeat this seven-night training program.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call during office hours if:

• Any drooling, jerking, or stiffening occurs.
• The episodes occur two or more times per week after the seven prompted awakenings.
• Episodes last longer than 30 minutes.
• Your child does something dangerous during an episode.
• Episodes occur during the second half of the night.
• Your child has several daytime fears.
• You feel family stress may be a factor.
• You have other questions or concerns.