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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffNight terrors are episodes of fear, flailing and screaming while asleep. Night terrors often are paired with sleepwalking.
Although night terrors are more common in children, they also can affect adults. A night terror episode usually lasts only a few minutes.
Night terrors are relatively rare, affecting only a small percentage of children — often between ages 4 and 12 — and a smaller percentage of adults. However frightening, night terrors aren't usually a cause for concern. Most children outgrow night terrors by adolescence.
- Parasomnias. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch215/ch215f.html. Accessed June 3, 2009.
- Nguyen BH, et al. Sleep terrors in children: A prospective study of twins. Pediatrics. 2008;122:e1164.
- Sleep terrors. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=13. Accessed June 8, 2009.
- National sleep disorders research plan. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/res_plan/section5/section5a.html. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Stores G. Dramatic parasomnias. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2001;94:173.
- Sleepiness diary. National Sleep Foundation. Accessed June 8, 2009.
