The night terrors They are interruptions similar to nightmares, but much more dramatic, that especially affect children, although they can also occur in adults and babies. They are characterized by a series of symptoms during sleep: screaming, sweating, disturbances and high heart rates.
Although the symptoms may resemble nightmares, they occur during the SOL phase (slow wave sleep), and therefore are not caused by dreams..
If you observe a child who has a night terror, he seems terrified, although unlike what happens with nightmares, the next day they are not usually remembered. On the other hand, it is difficult to wake them up when they have them.
It is estimated that 5% of children can experience these parasomnias, reaching 1% of adults.
Article index
Night terrors occur during a normal sleep stage and come in a series of phases. Each phase is associated with a certain type of brain activity and dreams occur in the REM phase.
Night terrors occur during the non-REM phase stage called SOL (slow wave sleep), so it is not technically a dream or a nightmare. Rather, it is a sudden fear reaction that occurs during the transition from one sleep phase to another..
They usually occur after 2-3 hours after the child goes to sleep, in the transition from the deep SOL phase to the light REM phase.
Night terrors in children usually occur between the ages of 3 and 12, with a peak in intensity at 3 1/2 years of age. It is estimated that approximately 5% of children experience and are affected both boys and girls. They usually resolve on their own during adolescence.
In children under 3 1/2 years of age, the highest frequency is usually one night terror a week. In other children they usually occur once a month.
A pediatrician can help these children by conducting a pediatric evaluation during which other possible disorders that may be causing them are excluded..
Night terrors in adults can occur at any age. The symptoms are similar to those of adolescents, although the causes, treatment and prognosis are different.
In adults, night terrors can occur every night if you don't get enough sleep, don't eat a proper diet, or if stressful events are occurring..
In adults, this disorder is much less common and is often corrected with treatment or by improving sleep habits and lifestyle. It is currently considered a mental disorder and is included in the DSM.
A study carried out with adults with night terrors found that they shared other mental disorders. There is also evidence of a relationship between night terrors and hypoglycemia.
When an episode occurs, the person can get up screaming or kicking, and can even leave the house, which can lead to violent actions.
Some adults who have received long-term intrathecal therapy have been found to show similar symptoms, such as feelings of terror in the early stages of sleep..
Nightmares and terrors are different:
These are the typical symptoms of an episode:
Night terrors normally occur from an overactivation of the central nervous system (CNS) during sleep, which can occur because the CNS is still maturing..
Approximately 80% of children with this disorder have a family member who has also experienced a similar sleep disturbance..
The terrors are seen in children who:
This disorder is usually diagnosed based on the patient's description of the events or symptoms. The professional can do psychological or physical tests to identify what conditions may contribute or what other disorders coexist.
If the diagnosis is not clear, other techniques can be used:
A) Recurrent episodes of abrupt awakenings, which generally occur during the first third of the major sleep episode and begin with a cry of distress.
B) Appearance of fear during the episode and signs of intense vegetative activation, for example, tachycardia, tachypnea and sweating.
C) The individual shows a relative lack of response to the efforts of others to calm down.
D) There is amnesia of the episode: the individual cannot describe any detailed memory of what happened during the night.
E) These episodes cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of the individual's activity.
F) The alteration is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition.
Treatment for infrequent night terrors is usually not necessary. For parents it is stressful, although in reality the child is not harmed.
A parent may simply put the child back to bed and try to relax them by talking to them, and often the episode ends on its own..
Slapping or yelling at the child can make the episode worse. If this disorder causes significant discomfort, treatment may be required..
The options are:
They usually occur in families who have had night terrors or other sleep disturbances..
Some adults with terrors also have a history of anxiety or mood disorders.
There can be several complications:
What is your experience with night terrors?
Yet No Comments