Talking about night terrors goes beyond a simple fear of the dark. We explain what this sleep disorder consists of.
Although their cause is unknown, night terrors can affect a person during childhood and even into adulthood.
Night terrors are often associated with nightmares or a fear of sleeping at night. However, these disorders are much more complex. In the medical field, they are known as parasomnias .
Although the exact cause is unknown, some triggers for night terrors may include fever, lack of sleep, and periods of emotional tension, stress, or conflict, according to MedlinePlus.
Parasomnias are most common between the ages of three and seven; they are much less common thereafter. However, they can be hereditary and, in adults, they occur when there is emotional stress or alcohol consumption.
What are night terrors?
Night terrors or parasomnias are behaviors that affect sleep. “In some cases, people walk, talk, or make movements to act out a dream. In others, they wake up scared or feel like they can’t move,” say specialists from the Cleveland Clinic.
These symptoms may be signs of night terrors:
- Talking while sleeping
- Somnambulism
- Nightmares
- Confusion upon waking up
- Forget what was done during the night
“When these events occur, others may think you are awake, but you are asleep. In the morning, you may not remember what you did while you were asleep,” the experts say.
5 tips to combat night terrors
If you want to treat this problem at home, you can resort to these measures proposed in the Home Remedies Manual by Dr. John H. Renner and the Consumer Health Information Research Institute ( CHIRI ) of the United States.
1. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule
To combat night terrors and prevent other sleep disorders, establishing a specific sleep schedule may mitigate the effects of parasomnia. This advice is especially important during childhood, since a child who does not sleep at a proper time may develop nighttime disorders.
2. Free the environment from dangers
If you have violent night terrors, stay away from sharp objects, keep doors and windows closed properly, keep clutter off the floor to prevent tripping hazards, and don’t sleep in a bunk bed. It’s also wise to sleep on the first level of the house and consult your doctor if your night terrors are very violent or dangerous.
3. Avoid alcohol and drug use
Drugs and alcohol can trigger night terrors, so their consumption is not recommended. In the case of alcoholic beverages, they cause sleep to be less deep, which increases the possibility of suffering from this disorder.
4. Reduce tension
Specialists point out that stress aggravates night terrors and this can occur at any age. Also, if you see a person having an episode of parasomnia, speak to them in a calm and gentle tone and try to get them back to bed.
5. Know the triggers and avoid them
Every person who suffers from nighttime sleep disorders has some trigger that generates parasomnia episodes. For example, some children sleep with the lights on to avoid nighttime fears, since the first two hours of absence of light can trigger these episodes.
Other tips
- Limit fluid intake before bed. Doctors say that anything that disrupts a person’s sleep can trigger night terrors, and a full bladder is no exception.
- If you see someone having night terrors, do not try to wake them up. As mentioned above, it is best to act calmly and calmly guide the person to bed if you can.
- If the episodes are persistent or violent, it is time to seek professional help. In any case, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a sleep disorders specialist to determine the most appropriate treatment, especially if the symptoms persist.