Sleep Terrors – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Sleep terrors are episodes where a person experiences intense fear, screaming, or crying while not fully awake. These episodes typically last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Sleep terrors belong to a category called parasomnias, which are unusual behaviors or experiences that occur during sleep.
Children between ages 1 and 12 most commonly experience sleep terrors, while they appear less frequently in adults. Parents might find these episodes alarming, but they generally don’t indicate a serious medical condition.
Most children naturally stop having sleep terrors by the time they reach adolescence.
Sleep terrors sometimes lead to sleepwalking, another type of parasomnia. During an episode, a person might wave their arms and legs while appearing distressed.
Treatment for sleep terrors usually isn’t necessary unless they:
- Interfere with getting adequate sleep
- Create safety concerns
- Occur frequently
Most cases resolve on their own without medical intervention as children grow older.
Signs and Symptoms
Sleep terrors are different from nightmares. In a nightmare, a person wakes up and often remembers the bad dream. During sleep terrors, the person stays asleep.
Children typically don’t remember their sleep terrors the next morning, while adults might recall parts of a dream they had.
These episodes usually happen during the first part of the night, rarely during naps. Sleep terrors may lead to sleepwalking.
Someone having a sleep terror might:
- Begin with screams, shouts, or crying
- Sit up in bed looking frightened
- Have a wide-eyed, scared expression
- Experience sweating, heavy breathing, fast heartbeat, flushed face, and dilated pupils
- Thrash or kick around
- Be difficult to awaken and confused if woken up
- Reject comfort or soothing attempts
- Remember little or nothing about the episode the next day
- Sometimes get out of bed and run around or become aggressive if restrained
When Medical Help Is Needed
Most occasional sleep terrors don’t require medical attention. For children, parents can simply mention them during regular check-ups.
However, you should talk to a healthcare provider if sleep terrors:
- Occur with increasing frequency
- Regularly disturb the sleep of the affected person or family members
- Create safety risks or cause injuries
- Lead to extreme daytime tiredness or interfere with daily activities
- Continue past adolescence or begin in adulthood
If these situations occur, medical evaluation may help identify underlying causes and appropriate treatment options.
Causes
Sleep terrors belong to a category of sleep disturbances known as parasomnias. During these episodes, people appear to be awake but remain partially asleep and typically have no memory of the event afterward.
Several factors can trigger sleep terrors:
- Sleep Deprivation: Extreme tiredness and lack of adequate rest.
- Emotional Stress: High levels of mental or emotional pressure.
- Disrupted Sleep Routines: Travel, schedule changes, or interrupted sleep.
- Elevated Body Temperature: Fevers can disturb normal sleep patterns.
Other conditions that may contribute to sleep terrors include:
| Contributing Conditions | Examples |
|---|---|
| Breathing disorders | Obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-disordered breathing |
| Movement disorders | Restless legs syndrome |
| Medication effects | Certain prescription drugs |
| Mental health issues | Depression and anxiety disorders |
Alcohol consumption can also play a role in triggering these episodes. When someone experiences sleep terrors, they might scream, appear frightened, or move around without being fully conscious.
Risk Factors
Sleep terrors may run in families. If your parents or siblings have experienced sleep terrors or sleepwalking, you might face a higher chance of having them too.
This genetic link suggests a family history plays an important role in these sleep disturbances.
Complications
Sleep terrors can lead to several problems that affect daily life. These issues can impact both the person experiencing sleep terrors and those around them.
Daytime Sleepiness
People with sleep terrors may feel very tired during the day. This tiredness can:
- Make it hard to focus at school or work
- Affect how well they complete everyday tasks
- Reduce overall productivity
Sleep Disruption
Regular sleep patterns often become disturbed when sleep terrors occur. This creates a cycle of poor sleep quality that’s difficult to break.
Social and Emotional Impact
Sleep terrors can cause emotional distress in several ways:
- Embarrassment about having episodes
- Strain on relationships with partners or family members
- Anxiety about sleeping, especially in shared spaces or when traveling
Physical Harm
During a sleep terror episode, a person might:
- Jump out of bed suddenly
- Run around the room
- Make violent movements
- Accidentally hurt themselves by hitting furniture or walls
- In rare cases, injure someone nearby who tries to help or restrain them
Most people who experience sleep terrors don’t remember the events, which can make addressing these complications challenging. When sleep terrors happen regularly, these complications can have a significant impact on quality of life and overall health.
