sleep terrors in children

(Sleep: Night Terrors) 

What are night terrors?

Night terrors are an inherited disorder in which the child tends to have dreams during deep sleep from which it is difficult to awaken. This happens in about 2 percent of children and usually not caused by psychological stress. Being overtired can trigger night terrors. Night terrors usually occur in children aged 1-8 years old.

The night terror usually begins 1-2 hours after bedtime and lasts between 10 and 30 minutes. During a night terror, your child may:

Agitated and restless, no one can awakened or comforted

Sit or restless running everywhere, possibly screaming or talking nonsense

There seems to notice his presence, but keep your eyes open and staring

Mistake objects or persons in the room for dangers.

The next morning, your child will not remember what happened.

How long?

Night terrors usually occur within 2 hours of bedtime. They are harmless and each episode will end spontaneously in sleep. The problem usually disappears by age 12 or earlier.

How I can 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.Probably will not wake his son, and needless to do so. Turn on the lights so that the child is less confused by shadows. Make soothing comments such as, "Are you okay you home in your own bed You can rest now..."Speak calmly and repetitive. Such comments are usually better than silence and may help your child refocus. Some children like to be taken by the hand during this time, but will pull away. Take her child only if it seems that it makes you feel better.

There is no way to abruptly shorten the episode. Shaking your son or yelling will only become more agitated and will prolong the attack.

Protect your child from injury.

During a night terror, a child can fall down the stairs, hit a wall or break a window. Try to gently direct your child back to bed.

Prepare for these episodes babysitters (babysitters) or other adult to supervise the child overnight.

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

How I can help prevent night terrors?

• If your child is too tired.

Lack of sleep is the most common trigger for night terrors. For preschoolers, restore the afternoon nap. If the child refuses the nap, encourage a "quiet time" for an hour. Also keep bedtime is too late because it can trigger a night terror. If the child needs to be awakened in the morning, that means you need to go to bed earlier. Advance the time to turn off the light 15 minutes earlier each night until your child can self-awaken in the morning.

Awakenings for frequent night terrors.

If your child has frequent night terrors and is over 6 years old, you can try to wake the night before the night terror comes. This method helps to eliminate the problem in about 90% of children. For several nights, note how many minutes elapse from the time when the child falls asleep until the start of the night terror. Then begin to wake the child 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. Follow these awakenings for seven consecutive nights. If the night terrors return when you stop waking your child, repeat this training program seven nights.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call during office hours if:

There drooling, twitching, or stiffness.

The episodes occur two or more times per week after the seven awakenings.

The episodes last longer than 30 minutes.

The child does something dangerous during an episode.

Episodes occur during the second half of the night.

The child has several daytime fears.

You feel family stress may be a factor.

You have other questions or concerns.