Night terrors  usually occur in toddlers and preschoolers and happen during the deepest stages of sleep. It is a sleep disorder in which a person quickly wakes from sleep in a terrified state.

What causes night terrors ?

The exact cause of this condition is unknown. However, it may be triggered by

• fever
• lack of sleep
• periods of emotional tension and stress

This condition is more common in children ages 3 to 7 years. Night terror  runs in families.

What happens during a night terror

During a night terror, your child may :

• cry uncontrollably
• have a terrified or confused look. He  may thrash around violently  and often not aware of his  surroundings
• sweat, shake , breathe fast  or have a  widened (dilated ) pupil.
• not realize you are there or recognize you
• scream, kick or stare
• try to push you away especially if you hold him

Night terrors usually last a short time even through it can last as long as 45 minutes. Most children fall right back to sleep after the episode because they actually are not awake. Unlike a nightmare, a child may not remember a night terror.

What is the difference between a nightmare and night terror ?

Night terrors takes place during the deepest stage of sleep which is usually early in the night.  Your child wont be able to remember it in the morning because  it happened in deep sleep.

Nightmares are common in the early mornings which is the second part of sleep when dreaming is most intense. Children may wake up feeling afraid or crying. They may also have trouble going back to sleep. The child may remember the details of the  dream after waking up.

What should i do if my child has night terrors ?

Parents should

• stay calm. Night terrors are often more frightening for parents than children
• do not wake the child up. This could lead to a more frantic behavior.  Keep the lights dim and talk in a soft , reassuring voice. The child will calm down and go back to sleep in about 10 to 20 minutes
• make sure the child cannot hurt himself. Gently restrain him if he tries to get out of bed.

Can night terror be prevented ?

There are several things you can do to reduce your child’s risk .

First of all, make sure the child is getting enough sleep. Children who got to bed tired  are more likely to experience it. To prevent fatigue,

• extend the child’s nap time
• let the child sleep a little later in the morning
• let the child go to bed earlier at night

Stress can also result in this condition.  Calm the child down at night with bedtime rituals such as

• giving them a bath
• singing a song
• reading a book
• lots of cuddling

If night terrors occurs repeatedly, talk to your doctor.