A night terror is a parasomnia disorder in which a person begins to scream, thrash, or kick while sleeping. Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, commonly affect children between the ages of three and 12, though, in rare cases, adults may also experience episodes. During a night terror episode, individuals may appear confused or stare blankly, unresponsive to the presence of a parent, partner, or housemate who enters the room in response to their reaction. They may ignore attempts to console them, react with heightened fear that causes them to leave the bed, try to flee the room or house, or respond with aggression. In some cases, night terrors may also lead to sleepwalking, another form of parasomnia. Night terror symptoms include elevated heart rate, a sweaty or flushed appearance, heavy breathing, and dilated pupils.
Night terrors usually occur during the first three or four hours of the night during non-REM sleep, and rarely, if ever, during naps. These episodes typically last a few minutes but, in some cases, can last for up to 30 minutes or occur multiple times per night. Once the night terror has run its course, the person with the disorder often returns to a normal sleep pattern.
There is no single cause of night terrors, but studies have suggested a few possible reasons, including medical conditions, which potentially contribute to their occurrence.

1. __Genetics__. According to multiple studies, genetics play a role in night terrors, though more research is needed to determine the exact factors. If there is a prevalence of night terrors or other parasomnias in a family—and in particular, in a parent or sibling—there is a chance that other family members may also experience them.
2. __Changes in sleeping patterns__. Night terrors have been attributed to [sleep deprivation](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-deprivation) or interrupted sleep, exhaustion or tiredness, and interruptions or changes to sleep schedules or sleep locations.
3. __Sleep disorders__. People with obstructive respiratory conditions that interrupt or negatively impact sleep, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, are more likely to experience night terrors.
4. __Mental health issues__. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, night terrors appear to occur in adults with a history of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Most preschoolers and older children outgrow night terrors and don’t require specific treatment. Here are some techniques that can help those who experience recurring night terrors:

- __Create a relaxing sleep environment__. Reducing or removing potential stressors from the sleeping environment can help stave off a night terror episode. Turn off electronic devices, reduce outside noise, and try a calming activity, like reading a book or bathing before bed, to promote relaxation.
- __Get enough sleep__. Maintaining a regular bedtime routine and consistent sleep schedule can help break a cycle of night terrors. Your body’s internal clock follows a specific sleep-wake cycle. Going to bed late one night and early the next throws your [circadian rhythm](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/circadian-rhythm-explained) off balance and results in fatigue, which can encourage night terrors. Creating and adhering to a consistent [sleep schedule](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-fix-your-sleep-schedule) can restore order to your sleep-wake cycle and ward off the stress and exhaustion that can trigger night terrors.
- __Track the pattern of the episodes__. You can use a [sleep diary](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-diary-guide) to track the pattern of night terror episodes so that all household members can better understand when they might occur and how to handle them.
There are significant differences between night terrors and nightmare or bad dreams. They include:

- __Timing__. Night terrors usually occur during the first 90 minutes of sleep, when a person experiences the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep ([NREM sleep)](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/non-rem-sleep-explained), also known as slow-wave sleep or deep sleep. [Nightmares](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/nightmares-explained) take place during rapid-eye-movement sleep, or [REM sleep](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rem-sleep-guide), when dreams are more commonplace, and often during early morning hours.
- __Consciousness and recollection__. A person who has a night terror remains asleep during the entire experience and has little-to-no memory of it upon waking or the next day. Nightmares usually wake the sleeper and leave them with more recall of the images and sensations from the intense dream.
Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of *Why We Sleep* and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.  
A night terror episode can be a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing experience. However, there are techniques that those who experience night terrors can use to reduce their frequency and ensure a good night’s sleep.

A night terror episode can be a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing experience. However, there are techniques that those who experience night terrors can use to reduce their frequency and ensure a good night’s sleep.

Guide to Night Terrors: How to Curb Night Terrors in Kids

A night terror is a parasomnia disorder in which a person begins to scream, thrash, or kick while sleeping. Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, commonly affect children between the ages of three and 12, though, in rare cases, adults may also experience episodes. During a night terror episode, individuals may appear confused or stare blankly, unresponsive to the presence of a parent, partner, or housemate who enters the room in response to their reaction. They may ignore attempts to console them, react with heightened fear that causes them to leave the bed, try to flee the room or house, or respond with aggression. In some cases, night terrors may also lead to sleepwalking, another form of parasomnia. Night terror symptoms include elevated heart rate, a sweaty or flushed appearance, heavy breathing, and dilated pupils.

What Are Night Terrors?

Night terrors usually occur during the first three or four hours of the night during non-REM sleep, and rarely, if ever, during naps. These episodes typically last a few minutes but, in some cases, can last for up to 30 minutes or occur multiple times per night. Once the night terror has run its course, the person with the disorder often returns to a normal sleep pattern.

 When Do Night Terrors Occur?

There is no single cause of night terrors, but studies have suggested a few possible reasons, including medical conditions, which potentially contribute to their occurrence.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Genetics. According to multiple studies, genetics play a role in night terrors, though more research is needed to determine the exact factors. If there is a prevalence of night terrors or other parasomnias in a family—and in particular, in a parent or sibling—there is a chance that other family members may also experience them. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Changes in sleeping patterns. Night terrors have been attributed to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-deprivation' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-deprivation","linkCopy":"sleep deprivation","category":null}'>sleep deprivation</a> or interrupted sleep, exhaustion or tiredness, and interruptions or changes to sleep schedules or sleep locations. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Sleep disorders. People with obstructive respiratory conditions that interrupt or negatively impact sleep, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, are more likely to experience night terrors. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Mental health issues. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, night terrors appear to occur in adults with a history of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. </li></ol>

4 Potential Causes of Night Terrors

Most preschoolers and older children outgrow night terrors and don’t require specific treatment. Here are some techniques that can help those who experience recurring night terrors:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Create a relaxing sleep environment. Reducing or removing potential stressors from the sleeping environment can help stave off a night terror episode. Turn off electronic devices, reduce outside noise, and try a calming activity, like reading a book or bathing before bed, to promote relaxation. </li><li class="">Get enough sleep. Maintaining a regular bedtime routine and consistent sleep schedule can help break a cycle of night terrors. Your body’s internal clock follows a specific sleep-wake cycle. Going to bed late one night and early the next throws your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/circadian-rhythm-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/circadian-rhythm-explained","linkCopy":"circadian rhythm","category":null}'>circadian rhythm</a> off balance and results in fatigue, which can encourage night terrors. Creating and adhering to a consistent <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-fix-your-sleep-schedule' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-fix-your-sleep-schedule","linkCopy":"sleep schedule","category":null}'>sleep schedule</a> can restore order to your sleep-wake cycle and ward off the stress and exhaustion that can trigger night terrors. </li><li class="">Track the pattern of the episodes. You can use a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-diary-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-diary-guide","linkCopy":"sleep diary","category":null}'>sleep diary</a> to track the pattern of night terror episodes so that all household members can better understand when they might occur and how to handle them. </li></ul>

How to Curb Night Terrors

There are significant differences between night terrors and nightmare or bad dreams. They include:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Timing. Night terrors usually occur during the first 90 minutes of sleep, when a person experiences the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement sleep (<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/non-rem-sleep-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/non-rem-sleep-explained","linkCopy":"NREM sleep)","category":null}'>NREM sleep)</a>, also known as slow-wave sleep or deep sleep. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/nightmares-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/nightmares-explained","linkCopy":"Nightmares","category":null}'>Nightmares</a> take place during rapid-eye-movement sleep, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rem-sleep-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rem-sleep-guide","linkCopy":"REM sleep","category":null}'>REM sleep</a>, when dreams are more commonplace, and often during early morning hours. </li><li class="">Consciousness and recollection. A person who has a night terror remains asleep during the entire experience and has little-to-no memory of it upon waking or the next day. Nightmares usually wake the sleeper and leave them with more recall of the images and sensations from the intense dream. </li></ul>

What Is the Difference Between a Night Terror and a Nightmare?

Saw some of the best darn logs of your life with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and exclusive instructional videos from Dr. Matthew Walker, the author of Why We Sleep and the founder-director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Between Matthew’s tips for optimal snoozing and info on discovering your body’s ideal rhythms, you’ll be sleeping more deeply in no time.

Want to Learn More About Catching Those Elusive Zs?

A night terror episode can be a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing experience. However, there are techniques that those who experience night terrors can use to reduce their frequency and ensure a good night’s sleep.

A night terror episode can be a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing experience. However, there are techniques that those who experience night terrors can use to reduce their frequency and ensure a good night’s sleep.
