In general, the prevalence in children has been reported as Night terrors can affect people of any age but are much more common in young children than in adolescents or adults. The most common age in which night terrors occur is a matter of ongoing debate. Most often, these episodes emerge when a child is between 4 and 12 years of age and resolve spontaneously by adolescence or puberty. However, a recent study showed the most common age for night terrors was 1.
While detailed evidence is lacking, the prevalence of night terrors in children over 12 appears to be low. Most adolescents who have night terrors experienced them when they were younger and will outgrow these episodes as they move into adulthood. New onset of night terrors in teenagers may be related to trauma or a psychiatric disorder. In certain social settings at this age, like sleepovers or summer camps, a teen with a history of night terrors may feel some anxiety or embarrassment.
It may help to consult with a doctor to help identify triggers or other contributing health conditions. Adults experience night terrors much less frequently than young children.
Adults with a childhood history of night terrors may have a recurrence of the episodes, triggered by stress, sleep deprivation, or the development of another sleep disorder.
As with adolescents, sleep terrors in adults may be of particular concern due to a greater risk of injury to oneself or other household members if violent behavior occurs during the episode. Rarely, adolescents and adults may recall details of the night terror. Like other parasomnias, there is some evidence that night terrors have a genetic component and are more likely to occur in individuals who have a family history of parasomnia , specifically a parent or sibling.
Additionally, people who have other sleep disorders like nocturnal asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or gastroesophageal reflux are increasingly recognized in those with night terrors. In particular, obstructive sleep apnea OSA , a breathing disorder, is present in more than one-half of children who are referred to doctors for sleep terrors. In general, there is no significant association between night terrors and psychological disorders, in contrast to what has been suggested in other types of parasomnias.
While the conditions described above can predispose someone for parasomnias, a number of factors have been shown to trigger them:. Most children will outgrow night terror episodes, without treatment, and prevalence rates drop steeply in adolescents and adults.
However, seeking medical advice about night terrors should always be considered, particularly in the following scenarios:. A diagnosis can usually be made by reporting symptoms and sleep behaviors to your doctor. Other tests may be recommended if a person is experiencing other symptoms, such as sleep apnea, bedwetting, or seizures.
A referral to a sleep specialist may be needed to rule out other sleep disorders or diagnose underlying health conditions. Knowing how to respond to night terrors in the moment is beneficial to minimize adverse events when they occur and thankfully the episodes are generally self-limited. However, do not try to wake a child during a night terror. Attempts at arousal may make the episode last longer or provoke a physical response that could lead to injury.
Most often these episodes are short, and your child will fall quickly back to sleep. Make sure other caregivers and family members also know what to do if a night terror occurs. Parents should be assured that treatment may not be needed for children who experience night terrors less than twice per month. Most children will naturally outgrow these episodes as they get older and their nervous systems develop. Better sleep habits can reduce the likelihood of night terrors, facilitate better growth and development, and establish healthy sleep routines as your child grows up.
Given that sleep deprivation is a known trigger of night terrors, improving sleep quality is a common approach for addressing more frequent night terrors.
A doctor can help determine whether any underlying medical conditions are contributing to the parasomnia, and offer a specific treatment plan. In some cases, medications may be considered for children with persistent night terrors. Some children respond to treatment with drugs like sedatives and certain antidepressants. Adolescents and adults who experience repeated night terrors may benefit from working with a sleep specialist who can help to identify whether there is an underlying cause that can be treated.
They may also prescribe therapy to manage the symptoms of night terrors. A doctor or sleep specialist may ask you to keep a sleep diary , which is a record of your recent sleep habits and how sleep is affecting your daily life.
They may ask for information from a bed partner or family member who can describe night terror episodes. Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia. Wright, M. 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. Try to prevent night terrors. A night terror can be triggered if your child becomes overly-tired. Be sure your child goes to bed at a regular time, and early enough to give him or her enough sleep.
Younger children may need to return to a daily nap. In many cases, a child who has a night terror only needs comfort and reassurance. Psychotherapy or counseling may be appropriate in some cases. Benzodiazepine medications used at bedtime will often reduce night terrors; however, medication is not usually recommended to treat this disorder.
While night terrors are not harmful, they can resemble other conditions or lead to problems for the child. Consult your child's healthcare provider if you notice any of the following:. In many cases, no examination or testing is needed. If the night terror is severe or prolonged, the child may need a psychological evaluation. If nothing seems to be working, consider seeking support from a therapist.
You can book an appointment with a mental health professional in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool. A therapist can help you identify any underlying issues and help you develop new coping tools. Biofeedback , hypnosis , and cognitive behavioral therapy can all help. If you live with or share a bed with a partner who has night terrors, there are a few things you can do to offer comfort and keep them safe.
Avoid trying to wake them up during an episode. You may not be able to wake them, but even if you can, they may become confused or upset. This could cause them to act out physically, potentially injuring both of you. What you can do is be there to offer comfort without getting physically involved. Talk to them in a calm, quiet voice. But back off as soon as you sense any hesitation or aggression. If your partner feels embarrassed the next day when they hear about their behavior, try to offer reassurance and understanding.
Consider showing support by helping them keep track of episodes in a sleep diary or going with them to a therapist appointment. Night terrors are short, frightening episodes might cause you to cry out or get up in your sleep. If you experience night terrors often or find them difficult to cope with, start by making an appointment with your doctor. They can help you narrow down a potential cause or help you find a sleep specialist or therapist.
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