Night terror - wikipedia 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 Sleep terror, pavor nocturnus Specialty Psychiatry ( edit on Wikidata ) Night terror, also known as sleep terror, is a sleep disorder, causing feelings of terror or dread, and typically occurs during the first hours of stage 3 - 4 non-rapid eye movement ( NREM ) sleep. Sleep terrors begin in children between the ages of 3 and 12, and usually stop 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. This has created a situation in which any type of nocturnal attack or nightmare may be confused with and reported as a night terror. Night terrors tend to happen during periods of arousal from delta sleep, also known as slow - wave sleep. Delta sleep occurs most often during the first half of a sleep cycle, which indicates that people with more delta sleep activity are more prone to night terrors. However, they can also occur during daytime naps. Night terrors can often be mistaken for confusional arousal. While nightmares ( bad dreams that cause feelings of horror or fear ) are relatively common during childhood, night terrors occur less frequently. Sleep terror episodes are estimated to occur in 1 -- 6 % of children, and in less than 1 % of adults. Night terrors have been known since ancient times, although it was impossible to differentiate them from nightmares until rapid eye movement was discovered. Contents 1 Signs and symptoms 1.1 Children 1.2 Adults 2 Causes 3 Diagnosis 4 Treatment 5 Research 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Signs and symptoms The universal feature of night terrors is inconsolability, very similar to that of a panic attack. 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. 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. Most people who experience this do not remember the incident the next day. Sleepwalking is also common during night terror bouts, as sleepwalking and night terrors are different manifestations of the same parasomnia. 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 -- that is, unconscious or involuntary rapid breathing, reddening of the skin, profuse sweating, and dilation of the pupils. In children with night terrors, there is no increased occurrence of psychiatric diagnoses. However, in adults who suffer from night terrors there is a close association with psychopathology or mental disorders. There may be an increased occurrence of night terrors -- particularly among those suffering or having suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) and generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ). It is also likely that some personality disorders may occur in individuals with night terrors, such as dependent, schizoid, and borderline personality disorders. There have been some symptoms of depression and anxiety that have increased in individuals that have suffered from frequent night terrors. Low blood sugar is associated with both pediatric and adult night terrors. A study of adults with thalamic lesions of the brain and brainstem have been occasionally associated with night terrors. Night terrors are closely linked to sleepwalking and frontal lobe epilepsy. Children 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. An estimated 1 -- 6 % of children experience night terrors. Boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds are affected equally. In half of all cases. 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. The children will most likely have no recollection of the episode the next day. Pediatric evaluation may be sought to exclude the possibility that the night terrors are caused by seizure disorders or breathing problems. Most children will outgrow sleep terrors. Adults Night terrors in adults have been reported in all age ranges. Though the symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are similar, the cause, 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. 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. There is some evidence of a link between night terrors and hypoglycemia. When a night terror happens, it is typical for a person to wake up screaming and kicking and to be able to recognize what he or she is saying. The person may even run out of the house ( more common among adults ) which can then lead to violent actions. It has been found that some adults who have been on a long - term intrathecal clonidine therapy show side effects of night terrors, such as feelings of terror early in the sleep cycle. This is due to the possible alteration of cervical / brain clonidine concentration. In adults, night terrors can be symptomatic of neurological disease and can be further investigated through an MRI procedure. Causes 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. Familial aggregation has been found suggesting that there is an autosomal mode of inheritance. In addition, some laboratory findings suggest that sleep deprivation and having a fever can increase the likelihood of a night terror episode occurring. Other contributing factors include nocturnal asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, and central nervous system medications. 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 are more common among women than men. Also, older children and adults provide highly detailed and descriptive images associated with their sleep terrors compared to younger children, who either can not 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. 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. Though the symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are similar, their causes, 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. 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. Hypoglycemia caused by an Insulinoma is also a possible cause as the body uses adrenaline to elevate blood - glucose levels. Diagnosis The DSM - IV - TR diagnostic criteria for sleep terror disorder requires : recurrent periods where the individual abruptly wakes from sleeping with a scream the individual experiences intense fear and symptoms of autonomic arousal, such as increased heart rate, heavy breathing, and increased perspiration the individual can not be soothed or comforted during the episode the individual is unable to remember details of the dream or details of the episode the occurrence of the sleep terror episode causes clinically significant distress or impairment in the individual 's functioning the disturbance is not due to the effects of a substance or general medical condition Treatment 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. 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. If this is not enough, benzodiazepines ( such as diazepam ) or tricyclic antidepressants may be used ; however, medication is only recommended in extreme cases. Research A small study of paroxetine found some benefit. Another small trial found benefit with L - 5 - hydroxytryptophan ( L - 5 - HTP ). See also Ephialtes ( illness ) Sleep paralysis Horror and terror References Jump up ^ Hockenbury, Don H. Hockenbury, Sandra E. ( 2010 ). Discovering psychology ( 5th ed. ). New York, NY : Worth Publishers. p. 157. ISBN 978 - 1 - 4292 - 1650 - 0. ^ Jump up to : 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. ^ Jump up to : Szelenberger, Waldemar ; Niemcewicz, Szymon ; Dąbrowska, Anna Justyna ( 2009 ). `` Sleepwalking and night terrors : Psychopathological and psychophysiological correlates ''. International Review of Psychiatry. 17 ( 4 ) : 263 -- 70. PMID 16194798. doi : 10.1080 / 09540260500104573. ^ Jump up to : Bjorvatn, Bjørn ; Grønli, Janne ; Pallesen, Ståle ( 2010 ). `` Prevalence of different parasomnias in the general population ''. Sleep Medicine. 11 ( 10 ) : 1031 -- 4. PMID 21093361. doi : 10.1016 / j. sleep. 2010.07. 011. Jump up ^ American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. `` Facts for Families No. 34 : Children 's Sleep Problems ''. AACAP. Retrieved Dec 20, 2011. ^ Jump up to : American Psychiatric Association ( 2000 ). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( 4th ed., text revision ed. ). Washington, DC. ^ Jump up to : Nguyen, B. H ; Perusse, 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 -- 7. PMID 19047218. doi : 10.1542 / peds. 2008 - 1303. Jump up ^ Oudiette, D ; Leu, S ; Pottier, M ; Buzare, M. A ; Brion, A ; Arnulf, I ( 2009 ). `` Dreamlike mentations during sleepwalking and sleep terrors in adults ''. Sleep. 32 ( 12 ) : 1621 -- 7. PMC 2786046. PMID 20041598. ^ Jump up to : `` Night Terrors Follow - up - Prognosis ''. Medscape reference. Retrieved 2013 - 05 - 26. Jump up ^ Blog from Fountia, `` Things You Did n't Know About Night Terrors '' Jump up ^ Di Gennaro, Giancarlo ; Autret, Alain ; Mascia, Addolorata ; Onorati, Paolo ; Sebastiano, Fabio ; Paolo Quarato, Pier ( 2004 ). `` Night terrors associated with thalamic lesion ''. Clinical Neurophysiology. 115 ( 11 ) : 2489 -- 92. PMID 15465436. doi : 10.1016 / j. clinph. 2004.05. 029. Jump up ^ `` Night Terrors - Pathophysiology ''. Medscape reference. Retrieved 2013 - 05 - 26. ^ Jump up to : Connelly, Kevin. `` Night Terrors ''. WebMD. Retrieved July 20, 2011. Jump up ^ licht, deborah ( 2016 ). presenting psychology. new york : worth publisher. p. 146. ISBN 9781319016371. ^ Jump up to : Bevacqua, Brian K ; Fattouh, Maher ; Backonja, Misha ( 2007 ). `` Depression, Night Terrors, and Insomnia Associated with Long - Term Intrathecal Clonidine Therapy ''. Pain Practice. 7 ( 1 ) : 36 -- 8. PMID 17305677. doi : 10.1111 / j. 1533 - 2500.2007. 00108. x. Jump up ^ `` Mental and behavioural disorders ''. ^ Jump up to : Nguyen, B. H ; Perusse, 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 -- 7. PMID 19047218. doi : 10.1542 / peds. 2008 - 1303. Jump up ^ McMillan, Julia A. ( 2006 ). Oski 's pediatrics : principles & practice ( 4th ed. ). Philadelphia : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 2353. ISBN 9780781738941. Jump up ^ Kuhlmann, David. `` Sleep Terrors ''. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Retrieved July 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Snyder, David M ; Goodlin - Jones, Beth L ; Pionk, Mary Jane ; Stein, Martin T ( 2008 ). `` Inconsolable Night - Time Awakening : Beyond Night Terrors ''. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 29 ( 4 ) : 311 -- 4. PMID 18698194. doi : 10.1097 / DBP. 0b013e3181829f4c. Jump up ^ Guzman, Carlos Simon ; Wang, Yuan Pang ( 2008 ). `` Sleep terror disorder : A case report ''. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria. 30 ( 2 ) : 169. PMID 18592111. doi : 10.1590 / S1516 - 44462008000200016. Jump up ^ Schredl, Michael ; Reinhard, Iris ( 2011 ). `` Gender differences in nightmare frequency : A meta - analysis ''. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 15 ( 2 ) : 115 -- 21. PMID 20817509. doi : 10.1016 / j. smrv. 2010.06. 002. Jump up ^ Poblano, Adrián ; Poblano - Alcalá, Adriana ; Haro, Reyes ( 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 -- 2. PMID 20945027. doi : 10.1590 / S1516 - 44462010000300022. Jump up ^ Chen, Laura P ; Murad, M. Hassan ; Paras, Molly L ; Colbenson, Kristina M ; Sattler, Amelia L ; Goranson, Erin N ; Elamin, Mohamed B ; Seime, Richard J ; Shinozaki, Gen ; Prokop, Larry J ; Zirakzadeh, Ali ( 2010 ). `` Sexual Abuse and Lifetime Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders : Systematic Review and Meta - analysis ''. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 85 ( 7 ) : 618 -- 29. PMC 2894717. PMID 20458101. doi : 10.4065 / mcp. 2009.0583. Jump up ^ Beisang, Daniel ; Forlenza, Gregory P ; Luquette, Mark ; Sarafoglou, Kyriakie ( 2017 ). `` Sporadic Insulinoma Presenting as Early Morning Night Terrors ''. Pediatrics. 139 ( 6 ) : e20162007. PMID 28562256. doi : 10.1542 / peds. 2016 - 2007. ^ Jump up to : Carter, K. A ; Hathaway, N. E ; Lettieri, C. F ( 2014 ). `` Common sleep disorders in children ''. American family physician. 89 ( 5 ) : 368 -- 77. PMID 24695508. Jump up ^ Fleetham, J. A ; Fleming, J.A. E ( 2014 ). `` Parasomnias ''. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 186 ( 8 ) : E273 -- 80. PMC 4016090. PMID 24799552. doi : 10.1503 / cmaj. 120808. Jump up ^ Wilson, S. J ; Lillywhite, A. R ; Potokar, J. P ; Bell, C. J ; Nutt, D. J ( 1997 ). `` Adult night terrors and paroxetine ''. Lancet. 350 ( 9072 ) : 185. PMID 9250190. Jump up ^ Bruni, Oliviero ; Ferri, Raffaele ; Miano, Silvia ; Verrillo, Elisabetta ( 2004 ). `` L - 5 - Hydroxytryptophan treatment of sleep terrors in children ''. European Journal of Pediatrics. 163 ( 7 ). doi : 10.1007 / s00431 - 004 - 1444 - 7. External links Classification V T D ICD - 10 : F51. 4 ICD - 9 - CM : 307.46 MeSH : D020184 External resources MedlinePlus : 000809 Night Terror Resource Center National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus : Night Terrors National Library of Medicine - Medical Subject Headings : Night Terrors Mental and behavioral disorders ( F 290 -- 319 ) Neurological / symptomatic Dementia Mild cognitive impairment Alzheimer 's disease Vascular dementia Pick 's disease Creutzfeldt -- Jakob disease Huntington 's disease Parkinson 's disease AIDS dementia complex Frontotemporal dementia Sundowning Wandering Autism spectrum Autism Asperger syndrome Savant syndrome PDD - NOS High - functioning autism Other Delirium Post-concussion syndrome Organic brain syndrome Psychoactive substances, substance abuse, drug abuse and substance - related disorders Intoxication / Drug overdose Physical dependence Substance dependence Rebound effect Double rebound Withdrawal Schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional Psychosis Schizoaffective disorder Schizophreniform disorder Brief reactive psychosis Schizophrenia Disorganized schizophrenia Paranoid schizophrenia Simple - type schizophrenia Delusional disorders Delusional disorder Folie à deux Mood ( affective ) Mania Bipolar disorder ( Bipolar I Bipolar II Cyclothymia Bipolar NOS ) Depression ( Major depressive disorder Dysthymia Seasonal affective disorder Atypical depression Melancholic depression ) Neurotic, stress - related and somatoform Anxiety disorder Phobia Agoraphobia Social anxiety Social phobia ( Anthropophobia ) Specific phobia ( Claustrophobia ) Specific social phobia Other Panic disorder Panic attack Generalized anxiety disorder OCD stress ( Acute stress reaction PTSD ) Adjustment disorder Adjustment disorder with depressed mood Somatic symptom disorder Somatization disorder Body dysmorphic disorder Hypochondriasis Nosophobia Da Costa 's syndrome Psychalgia Conversion disorder ( Ganser syndrome Globus pharyngis ) Neurasthenia Mass psychogenic illness Dissociative disorder Dissociative identity disorder Psychogenic amnesia Fugue state Depersonalization disorder Physiological / physical behavioral Eating disorder Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa Rumination syndrome NOS Nonorganic sleep disorders ( Nonorganic hypersomnia Nonorganic insomnia ) Parasomnia ( REM sleep behavior disorder Night terror Nightmare ) Sexual dysfunction sexual desire ( Hypoactive sexual desire disorder Hypersexuality ) sexual arousal ( Female sexual arousal disorder ) Erectile dysfunction orgasm ( Anorgasmia Delayed ejaculation Premature ejaculation Sexual anhedonia ) pain ( Vaginismus Dyspareunia ) Postnatal Postpartum depression Postpartum psychosis Adult personality and behavior Gender dysphoria Sexual maturation disorder Ego - dystonic sexual orientation Sexual relationship disorder Paraphilia ( Voyeurism Fetishism ) Other Personality disorder Impulse control disorder ( Kleptomania Trichotillomania Pyromania Dermatillomania ) Factitious disorder ( Munchausen syndrome ) Disorders typically diagnosed in childhood Intellectual disability X-linked intellectual disability ( Lujan -- Fryns syndrome ) Psychological development ( developmental disabilities ) Specific Pervasive Emotional and behavioral ADHD Conduct disorder ( ODD ) Emotional / behavioral disorder ( Separation anxiety disorder ) social functioning ( Selective mutism RAD DAD ) Tic disorder ( Tourette syndrome ) Speech ( Stuttering Cluttering ) Movement disorders ( Stereotypic ) Symptoms and uncategorized Catatonia False pregnancy Intermittent explosive disorder Psychomotor agitation Stereotypy Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures Klüver -- Bucy syndrome Psychophysiology : Sleep and sleep disorders ( F51 and G47 / 307.4 and 327 ) Sleep stages Rapid eye movement ( REM ) Non-rapid eye movement Slow - wave Brain waves Alpha wave Beta wave Delta wave Gamma wave K - complex Mu rhythm Sensorimotor rhythm Sleep spindle Theta wave Sleep disorders Dyssomnia Hypersomnia Insomnia Kleine -- Levin syndrome Narcolepsy Sleep apnea Central hypoventilation syndrome Obesity hypoventilation syndrome Sleep state misperception Circadian rhythm disorder Advanced sleep phase disorder Delayed sleep phase disorder Irregular sleep -- wake rhythm Jet lag Non-24 - hour sleep -- wake disorder Shift work sleep disorder Parasomnia Catathrenia Night terror Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder Sleepwalking Somniloquy Other Bruxism Night eating syndrome Nocturia Nocturnal myoclonus Benign phenomena Dream Exploding head syndrome False awakening Hypnagogia / Sleep onset Hypnic jerk Lucid dream Nightmare Nocturnal clitoral tumescence Nocturnal emission Nocturnal penile tumescence Sleep paralysis Somnolence Related topics Bed Bunk bed Daybed Four - poster bed Futon Hammock Mattress Sleeping bag Bed bug Bedding Bedroom Bedtime Bedtime story Bedtime toy Biphasic and polyphasic sleep Chronotype Dream journal Excessive daytime sleepiness Hypnopompic state Lullaby Microsleep Nap Nightwear Polysomnography Power nap Second wind Siesta Sleep and creativity Sleep and learning Sleep debt Sleep deprivation Sleep diary Sleep hygiene Sleep induction Sleep inertia Sleep medicine `` Sleeping sickness '' Sleeping while on duty Sleepover Snoring Somnology Not a sleep disorder. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Night_terror&oldid=804785604 '' Categories : Parasomnias Sleep disorders Psychiatric diagnosis Hidden categories : Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from October 2017 Accuracy disputes from October 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Ελληνικά Español Euskara فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Italiano עברית မြန်မာဘာသာ Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Simple English Slovenčina Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 11 October 2017, at 03 : 53. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the medical term for night terrors
Answer: sleep terror