Night terrors can be a puzzling and distressing experience for parents to witness in their children, so here is list of things that all parents might like to know about them. If night terrors are a problem for your child, I hope this list will shed light on the facts, causes, and a few coping strategies too.
What are night terrors?
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A sudden disturbance from sleep, with agitation, or extreme distress and sometimes violent bodily movements.
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A typical episode usually lasts no more than a few minutes, but may be protracted, lasting up to an hour.
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These episodes usually occur within the first 3 hours of falling asleep.
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Night terrors are different from nightmares. Nightmares occur during dream sleep and details are often remembered upon waking. Night terrors cause intense episodes of fear but as they happen in deep sleep there is no conscious memory of it on waking.
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Usually, only one sleep terror will occur during a major sleep episode
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Sleep terrors occur in up to 14% of children between 4 and 12 years of age, with a peak between 5 and 7 years of age.
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Night terrors tend to decrease in frequency and intensity as a child gets older. Most children outgrow night terrors by their teenage years, and the condition rarely persists into adulthood.
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Some studies reveal that night terrors can run in families. Research suggests that kiddies are up to 10x more likely to suffer from them if close family members have too, and up to 60% of children will be affected if both parents report a history of night terrors in childhood.
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In children, there is a strong correlation between night terrors and sleepwalking and sleep talking
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Night terrors are more common in boys than in girls
Are Night terrors harmful?
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Although night terrors can be upsetting for parents parents to witness, they are generally considered harmless and do not require medical treatment. However, if a child's safety is at risk during an episode or if the night terrors significantly impact their quality of life, consulting with a healthcare practitioner is recommended.
What should I do if my child has a night terror?
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During a night terror episode, it's tempting to wake your child up. However, this is NOT the recommendation of sleep specialists. Instead they suggest providing a calm presence and quiet reassurance. Most children don't remember these events, and waking them up can easily add to their state of panic and may prolong or intensify the episode. Also, if children are aroused fully then it can be common for them to be awake for as much as an hour or two before settling back down for the night!
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Avoid telling your child about their night terrors unless they mention it. Telling them about these events could run the risk them becoming frightened of going to sleep at bedtime.
What causes night terrors and can we prevent them ?
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Night terrors are more common in children who experience sleep deprivation or have irregular sleep patterns so its worth ensuring that they go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Establishing a consistent sleep routine with adequate sleep duration can help reduce the occurrence of night terrors for those who are prone to them.
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Stress and anxiety can contribute to the frequency and intensity of night terrors. Identifying and addressing sources of stress in a child's life can also help decrease the occurrence of night terrors.
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Certain medications, such as some antidepressants, sedatives or antihistamines, may increase the likelihood of night terrors in children. Even the popular sleep supplement Melatonin has been known to worsen night terrors in some individuals. If your child takes medication and experiences night terrors, consult with their prescribing doctor to explore alternative options.
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In the majority of cases, there is no specific treatment other than reassurance and parental education. Underlying conditions, however, should be treated if possible and precipitating factors should be avoided. These may include:
- a health related fever or simply a raised temperature due warm weather or too much clothing
- a full bladder during sleep
- consuming caffeine within a few hours of bedtime (chocolate/soft-drinks)
- a noisy sleeping environment
- emotional stress
- separation anxiety
- frequent headaches
- Asthma
- Oesophageal Reflux
- being a victim of bullying
- sleep deprivation
- anxiety
- sleep disordered breathing; snoring, sleep apnoea etc
- periodic limb movements or restless leg syndrome
- post-traumatic syndrome
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder,
- Epilepsy
Is there anything else we can do as worried parents?
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Keeping a Sleep Diary and possibly even recordings, can help identify patterns or triggers related to night terrors. Keep track of your child's bedtime routine, activities leading up to bedtime, and any specific events or stressors that might contribute to their night terrors. This can help you make informed decisions and discuss observations with your child's doctor.
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Encouraging healthy sleep hygiene and sleep rituals can significantly reduce the occurrence of night terrors. Ensure your child has a calming wind-down routine before bed, limit screen time in the evening, and avoid stimulating foods and drinks close to bedtime.
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Experiment with anticipatory awakening, approximately half an hour before the child is most likely to experience a night terror episode. You could take them to the toilet to empty their bladder or simply give them a quick kiss and a cuddle to stir them slightly and nudge them into a new sleep cycle. This can be an effective strategy for the prevention of frequently occurring night terrors for some children.
Lastly, remember every child is unique, and the severity and duration of night terrors can vary. If you have concerns about your child's night terrors, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional or paediatric sleep specialist who can evaluate your child's situation and provide further support tailored to their specific needs.
Alternatively, if you need guidance with easing symptoms of night terrors or help in finding the right specialists to uncover the specific cause of them for your child, please don't hesitate to reach out. See contact details below.
Reference:
Leung AKC, Leung AAM, Wong AHC, Hon KL. Sleep Terrors: An Updated Review. Curr Pediatr Rev. 2020;16(3):176-182. doi: 10.2174/1573396315666191014152136. PMID: 31612833; PMCID: PMC8193803.
Katie Cortés: Registered Midwife & Certified Holistic Infant Sleep Coach.
Coaxing a love of sleep, through attachment, trust, respect & fun!
For enquiries, email: katie@katiesbabies.com.au or for more details visit www.katiesbabies.com.au
