Night terror

Not to be confused with Nightmare. For other uses, see Night Terror (disambiguation).
"Pavor nocturnus" redirects here. For the episode of Sanctuary, see Pavor Nocturnus.
Night terror
Synonyms pavor nocturnus
Classification and external resources
Specialty Psychiatry
ICD-10 F51.4
ICD-9-CM 307.46
MedlinePlus 000809
MeSH D020184


Night terrors have been known since ancient times, although it was impossible to differentiate them from nightmares until rapid eye movement was discovered.[4] While nightmares (bad dreams that cause feelings of horror or fear) are relatively common during childhood, night terrors occur less frequently according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.[6] The prevalence of sleep terror episodes has been estimated at 1–6% among children, and at less than 1% of adults.[7] Night terrors can often be mistaken for confusional arousal.[2] Sleep terrors begin in children between the ages of 3 and 12, and usually dissipate during adolescence. In adults, they most commonly occur between the ages of 20 to 30. Though the frequency and severity vary between individuals, the episodes can occur in intervals of days or weeks, but can also occur over consecutive nights or multiple times in one night.[3][5]

Night terrors are a largely unknown phenomenon. This has created a situation in which any type of nocturnal attack or nightmare may be confused with and reported as a night terror.[4]

Signs and symptoms

The universal feature of night terrors is inconsolability, very similar to that of a panic attack.[8] During night terror bouts, people are usually described as "bolting upright" with their eyes wide open and a look of fear and panic on their faces. They will often scream. Furthermore, they will usually sweat, exhibit rapid breathing, and have a rapid heart rate (autonomic signs). In some cases, individuals are likely to have even more elaborate motor activity, such as a thrashing of limbs—which may include punching, swinging, or fleeing motions. There is a sense that the individuals are trying to protect themselves and/or escape from a possible threat of bodily injury.[5] Although people may seem to be awake during a night terror, they will appear confused, be inconsolable and/or unresponsive to attempts to communicate with them, and may not recognize others familiar to them. Occasionally, when a person with a night terror is awakened, they will lash out at the one awakening them, which can be dangerous to that individual.[3] Most people who experience this do not remember the incident the next day.[2] Sleepwalking is also common during night terror bouts,[4][9] as sleepwalking and night terrors are different manifestations of the same parasomnia.[4]

During lab tests, subjects are known to have very high voltages of electroencephalography (EEG) delta activity, an increase in muscle tone, and a doubled increase in heart rate, if not more. Brain activities during a typical episode show theta and alpha activity when using an EEG. It is also common to see abrupt arousal from NREM sleep that does not progress into a full episode of a night terror. These episodes can include tachycardia. Night terrors are also associated with intense autonomic discharge of tachypnea, flushing, diaphoresis, and mydriasis[8] – that is, unconscious or involuntary rapid breathing, reddening of the skin, profuse sweating, and dilation of the pupils.



Night terrors typically occur in children between the ages of three and twelve years, with a peak onset in children aged three and a half years old.[14] An estimated 1–6% of children experience night terrors. Boys and girls of all backgrounds are affected equally. They usually resolve during adolescence.[14] Sleep disruption is parents’ most frequent concern during the first years of a child’s life. Half of all children develop a disrupted sleep pattern serious enough to warrant assistance of a physician. In children younger than three and a half years old, peak frequency of night terrors is at least one episode per week. Among older children, peak frequency of night terrors is one or two episodes per month. Children experiencing night terrors may be helped by a pediatric evaluation. During such evaluation, the pediatrician may also be able to exclude other possible disorders that might cause night terrors.[14]


Night terrors in adults have been reported in all age ranges.[15] Though the symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are similar, the etiology, prognosis and treatment are qualitatively different. These night terrors can occur each night if the sufferer does not eat a proper diet, get the appropriate amount or quality of sleep (e.g. sleep apnea), is enduring stressful events, or if he or she remains untreated. Adult night terrors are much less common, and often respond to treatments to rectify causes of poor quality or quantity of sleep. Night terrors are classified as a mental and behavioral disorder in the ICD.[16] A study done about night terrors in adults showed that other psychiatric symptoms were prevalent in most patients experiencing night terrors hinting at the comorbidity of the two.[17] There is some evidence of a link between night terrors and hypoglycemia.[18]



There is some evidence that a predisposition to night terrors and other parasomnias may be congenital. Individuals frequently report that past family members have had either episodes of sleep terrors or sleepwalking. In some studies, a ten-fold increase in the prevalence of night terrors in first-degree biological relatives has been observed—however, the exact link to inheritance is not known.[5] Familial aggregation has been found suggesting that there is an autosomal mode of inheritance.[17] In addition, some laboratory findings suggest that sleep deprivation and having a fever can increase the likelihood of a night terror episode occurring.[7] Other contributing factors include nocturnal asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, and central nervous system medications.[17] Special consideration must be used when the subject suffers from narcolepsy, as there may be a link. There have been no findings that show a cultural difference between manifestations of night terrors, though it is thought that the significance and cause of night terrors differ within cultures. Evidence suggests that nightmares and night terrors are more common among women than men.[22]

Also, older children and adults provide highly detailed and descriptive images associated with their sleep terrors compared to younger children, who either cannot recall or only vaguely remember. Sleep terrors in children are also more likely to occur in males than females; in adults, the ratio between sexes is equal.[5] A longitudinal study examined twins, both identical and fraternal, and found that a significantly higher concordance rate of night terror was found in identical twins than in fraternal.[17][23]

Though the symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are similar, their etiologies, prognoses, and treatments are qualitatively different. There is some evidence that suggests that night terrors can occur if the sufferer does not eat a proper diet, does not get the appropriate amount or quality of sleep (e.g., because of sleep apnea), or is enduring stressful events. Adults who have experienced sexual abuse are more likely to receive a diagnosis of sleep disorders, including night terrors.[24] Overall, though, adult night terrors are much less common and often respond best to treatments that rectify causes of poor quality or quantity of sleep.




In most children, night terrors eventually subside and do not need to be treated. It may be helpful to reassure the child and their family that they will outgrow this disorder.[25]

Psychotherapy or counseling can be helpful in many cases. There is some evidence to suggest that night terrors can result from lack of sleep or poor sleeping habits. In these cases, it can be helpful to improve the amount and quality of sleep which the child is getting.[25] If this is not enough, benzodiazepines (such as diazepam) or tricyclic antidepressants may be used; however, medication is only recommended in extreme cases.[26]


A small study of paroxetine found some benefit.[27] Another small trial found benefit with L -5-hydroxytryptophan (L -5-HTP).[28]

See also


  2. 1 2 3 Bjorvatn, B.; Grønli, J.; Pallesen, S (2010). "Prevalence of different parasomnias in the general population". Sleep Medicine. 11 (10): 1031–1034. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2010.07.011. PMID 21093361.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Guzman,, C.; Wang, Y (2008). "Sleep terror disorder: A case report". Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria. 115 (11): 169. doi:10.1590/S1516-44462008000200016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Szelenberger, W.; Niemcewicz, S.; Dąbrowska, A. (2005). "Sleepwalking and night terrors: Psychopathological and psychophysiological correlates". International Review of Psychiatry. 32 (12): 263–270. doi:10.1080/09540260500104573.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Association, published by the American Psychiatric (2000). DSM-IV-TR : diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. (4TH ed.). United States: AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PRESS INC (DC). ISBN 978-0-89042-025-6.
  6. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "Facts for Families No. 34: Children's Sleep Problems". AACAP. Retrieved Dec 20, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text revision ed.). Washington, DC.
  8. 1 2 Nguyen, B.; Pérusse, D.; Paquet, J.; Petit, D.; Boivin, M.; Tremblay, R. E.; Montplaisir, J. (2008). "Sleep terrors in children: A prospective study of twins". Pediatrics. 122 (6): e1164–e1167. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-1303. PMID 19047218.
  9. Oudiette, D.; Leu, S.; Pottier, M.; Buzare, M.; Brion, A.; Arnulf, I (2009). "Dreamlike mentations during sleepwalking and sleep terrors in adults". Sleep: Journal of Sleep and Sleep Disorders. 32 (12): 1621–1627.
  10. 1 2 "Night Terrors Follow-up - Prognosis". Medscape reference. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  12. Di Gennaro, G.; Autret, A.; Mascia, A.; Onorati, P.; Sebastiano, F.; Quarato, P (2004). "Night terrors associated with thalamic lesion". Clinical Neuropsychology. 115 (11): 2489–2492. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2004.05.029.
  13. "Night Terrors - Pathophysiology". Medscape reference. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  14. 1 2 3 Connelly, Kevin. "Night Terrors". WebMD. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  15. 1 2 Bevacqua, B.K.; Fattouh, M.; Backonja, M. (2007). "Depression, Night Terrors, and Insomnia Associated With Long-Term Intrathecal Clonidine Therapy". Pain Practice. 11 (1): 36–38. doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2007.00108.x.
  16. "Mental and behavioural disorders".
  18. McMillan, Julia A. (2006). Oski's pediatrics : principles & practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 2353. ISBN 9780781738941.
  19. Kuhlmann, David. "Sleep Terrors". The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  20. Snyder, D.; Goodlin-Jones, B. L.; Pionk, M.; Stein, M. T (2008). "Inconsolable night-time awakening: Beyond night terrors". Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 29 (4): 311–314. doi:10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181829f4c. PMID 18698194.
  22. Schredl, Michael (April 2011). "Gender differences in nightmare frequency: A meta-analysis". Sleep Medicine Reviews. 15: 115–121. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2010.06.002.
  23. Poblano, A.; Poblano-Alcalá, A.; Haro, R. (2010). "Sleep-terror in a child evolving into sleepwalking in adolescence. Case report with the patient's point of view". Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria. 32 (3): 321–322. doi:10.1590/S1516-44462010000300022. PMID 20945027.
  24. Chen, Laura (July 2010). "Sexual Abuse and Lifetime Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 85: 618–629. doi:10.4065/mcp.2009.0583.
  25. 1 2 Carter, KA; Hathaway, NE; Lettieri, CF (1 March 2014). "Common sleep disorders in children.". American family physician. 89 (5): 368–77. PMID 24695508.
  26. Fleetham, JA; Fleming, JA (13 May 2014). "Parasomnias.". CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association. 186 (8): E273–80. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120808. PMC 4016090Freely accessible. PMID 24799552.
  27. Wilson, SJ; Lillywhite, AR; Potokar, JP; Bell, CJ; Nutt, DJ (19 July 1997). "Adult night terrors and paroxetine.". Lancet (London, England). 350 (9072): 185. PMID 9250190.
  28. Bruni, Oliviero; Ferri, Raffaele; Miano, Silvia; Verrillo, Elisabetta (2004-05-14). "l -5-Hydroxytryptophan treatment of sleep terrors in children". European Journal of Pediatrics. 163 (7): 402–407. doi:10.1007/s00431-004-1444-7. ISSN 0340-6199. PMID 15146330.