Sleep Disorders in Adults: Night Terrors

Night terrors are a particularly intense type of sleep disturbance, most prevalent in children between the ages of 4 and 12. Adults sometimes suffer from night terrors as well, due to exhaustion, emotional stress or medication. It is estimated that about 2 percent of all adults suffer from night terrors, while as many as 6.5 percent of children have the same problem. Luckily, the prognosis for night terrors is usually quite good both in children and adults.

Night Terrors Vs. Nightmares

Nightmares typically occur during REM sleep, the same state in which less troubling dreams take place. Night terrors, on the other hand, usually take place during deeper stage 3 or 4 sleep.

Time

Night terrors usually take place during the first half of the sleep cycle, within 30 minutes to 3.5 hours of falling asleep.

Symptoms

Patients suffering from night terrors are stricken with a sense of fear; they often thrash around in their sleep and have a hard time waking up. Conversely, when they do wake up, they often do so suddenly with a scream or a shout and can rarely recall the details of what caused their terror.

Treatment

Though children often outgrow night terrors, adults may need more formal treatment. Doctors often recommend psychological counseling and may suggest benzodiazepine sleep medication in serious cases.

Home Remedies

In some cases, a reduction of stress or anxiety in one's life can reduce the frequency of night terrors. Yoga or relaxation techniques undertaken before bed may be helpful as well.