Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a type of sleep disorder in which a person wakes suddenly in a terrified and panicked state. The person may sit up or jump out of bed, and often will make noise or scream. The person having the night terror may not remember anything about it when friends or family members mention it to him in the morning.
Often the person seems awake, with his eyes open and mumbling, but is actually only half-conscious. He may feel afraid, confused, or disoriented. Certain people may remember the night terror in the morning and talk about seeing things like snakes or spiders in the room.
Symptoms of a Night Terror
Each adult may experience a different combination of symptoms when experiencing a night terror. The adult may experience several of the symptoms or only one or two. The first two symptoms, waking abruptly and experiencing fear or panic, are the key signs that indicate a night terror.
- fear or panic
- waking abruptly
- seeing scary visions, such as snakes or spiders
- confused or disoriented
- may or may not remember the episode
- screaming
- jumping out of bed and running around
- doesn't respond to others
Difference Between Night Terrors and Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking may sound like a night terror based on symptoms such as leaving the bed and moving around the house. A sleepwalker, however, is still asleep and is not distressed. A sleepwalker may go back to bed on his own, or if another person leads him there. Typically sleepwalkers are not violent or upset.
A person having a night terror usually bolts out of bed, often screaming, and is in a high state of fear and panic. While the person is hard to wake up, much like a sleepwalker, he also may become aggressive or will continue to scream or thrash around. Adults may remember having a vivid, terrifying dream the next morning when the episode is over.
Why Do Adults Have Night Terrors?
Currently it is uncertain exactly what causes night terrors. Certain factors, however, may increase the likelihood of experiencing one. Suffering from another sleep disorder, a mental disorder, or substance abuse may trigger night terrors. Medications or a family history of night terrors also raise the risk. Night terrors are less common in adults than children, but they do occur and sometimes develop in adults who never experience them as a child.
Are Adult Night Terrors Different From Children's Night Terrors?
While the night terrors are in a sense the same, children and adults react to them differently. Children often have no memory of the event and may sleepwalk or talk in their sleep during an episode. Parents can soothe the child and talk to the child's doctor if the episodes are troublesome. Children typically do not react in violent ways. Many times the night terrors will go away on their own after a period of time. Fever or stress can cause night terrors in children.
Adults may or may not react violently, but often have larger physical reactions and have some memory of the event afterward. Night terrors may come from a number of mental or physical causes and are not as likely to disappear over time. Finding ways to prevent them or talking to a doctor is the best solution for an adult dealing with night terrors.
How to Prevent Adult Night Terrors
Talking to a doctor is important, especially if the night terrors are troublesome, frequent, or violent. A therapist may also help, especially if a mental disorder or a high level of stress is present. Adults who are dealing with night terrors can try the following tips to help control and avoid the episodes:
- reduce as much stress as possible
- practice meditation or yoga before bed
- exercise on a regular basis and eat healthy foods
- get enough sleep each night
- avoid caffeine and sugar before bed
- keep the bedroom clean and sleep with a night light
- listen to relaxing music or white noise during sleep
Hope Exists for Those Suffering From Adult Night Terrors
While there is no cure for night terrors, they can be treated with a number of relaxation techniques and small lifestyle changes. A night terror may go away on its own over time or when the stressful situation triggering it is removed from the person's life. Consulting a doctor or therapist can help not only with night terrors, but to deal with stress, anxiety, or depression. Individuals who have experienced a traumatic situation may have a higher risk of night terrors associated with anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapy can help individuals handle the symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, or PTSD to overcome adult night terrors.
References
Mayo Clinic.com, "Night Terrors" (accessed February 24, 2010).
Sleep Education.com, "Sleep Terrors" (accessed February 24, 2010).
Jessica Reed - Jessica Reed has been working as a full-time freelance writer since March 2008. She publishes articles mostly frequently with Demand ...
