Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Sleep Terrors In Children: Warning Signs And What Parents Should Do

Seeing your child suddenly screaming at night, with wide eyes and thrashing limbs, can be deeply unsettling. However, remaining calm and focusing on safety is crucial for parents during the sleep terror episodes, said health experts.

Sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, are episodes of sudden fear, screaming, or intense distress that occur during sleep.

The condition is more common in children, especially between the ages of 3 and 8 years, as their sleep patterns are still maturing. 

Unlike nightmares, which usually happen during dreaming (REM sleep) and are often remembered, sleep terrors occur during deep non-REM sleep.

Dr Preeti Singh, Senior Consultant, Clinical Psychology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka told HealthandMe, that while it may be frightening to witness, especially for parents, sleep terrors themselves are usually not harmful. 

Although most kids outgrow this naturally, if the episodes are violent or very frequent, consult a specialist, added Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.

During sleep terror, the child may sit up abruptly, shout, appear frightened, sweat, breathe rapidly, and be difficult to console. In most cases, they do not recall the episode the next morning. 

Sleep terrors typically occur in the first third of the night, during deep sleep (slow-wave sleep). They are considered a type of parasomnia, meaning an unusual behavior during sleep. 

Dr Kumar, in a post on social media platform X, explained that unlike a bad dream, a sleep terror happens in deep sleep (Stage N3).

It is characterized by abrupt sitting up/screaming, with physical signs that include a fast heart rate, sweating, and dilated pupils.

"It is 11 PM. Your child suddenly sits up, screams at the top of their lungs, and looks terrified. They are not responding to you, and they seem to be looking right through you. This is likely a sleep terror (night terror), a common NREM sleep parasomnia in children aged 3-12,” said Dr Kumar, popularly known as the Hyderabad doctor, on X.

The expert noted that the children are unlikely to recognize the parents and be "consoled" during the episodes. 

<h2>What Factors Trigger Sleep Terrors</h2>

<ul><li>Sleep deprivation or irregular sleep schedules </li><li>Fever or illness </li><li>Emotional stress or anxiety </li><li>Major life changes or trauma </li><li>Family history of parasomnias </li><li>Certain medications</li></ul>

For children, sleep terrors are often developmental and tend to reduce as the nervous system matures, Dr Singh told HealthanMe. 

Parents often feel alarmed during a sleep terror episode, but the key is to remain calm, the experts said. They said during an episode: 

<ul><li>Do not try to fully wake the child, as this may increase confusion and agitation.</li><li>Gently ensure the child is safe and cannot injure themselves. </li><li>Speak softly and reassuringly, even if they do not respond. </li><li>Wait for the episode to pass, which usually happens within a few minutes.</li></ul>Urging parents to stay calm, Dr Kumar urged parents to “gently guide the children back to bed if they wander. Clear the floor of toys or sharp edges”.

<ul><li>Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine </li><li>Ensuring the child gets adequate sleep </li><li>Reducing screen time before bed </li><li>Managing stress during the day </li><li>Creating a calm and secure sleep environment</li></ul>If episodes occur at a predictable time each night, gently waking the child 15–20 minutes before the usual episode time for a few nights can help interrupt the cycle.

Most children do not require medical treatment, as sleep terrors usually resolve on their own with age. Treatment is considered when episodes are frequent, severe, cause injury, or significantly disrupt family life. 

However, addressing sleep deprivation, treating any underlying medical conditions (e.g., sleep apnea), counseling or stress management strategies can help.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

sleep terror

parenting

sleep apnea

rem sleep

night terror

anxiety

heart rate

stress

children health

Why Hypertension Is Soaring Stroke Risk, Death In Young Indians

PM Modi In Mann Ki Baat Highlights Growing Awareness Of Organ Donations In India

Parenting

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Seeing your child suddenly screaming at night, with wide eyes and thrashing limbs, can be deeply unsettling. However, remaining calm and focusing on safety is crucial for parents during the sleep terror episodes, said health experts.Sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, are episodes of sudden fear, screaming, or intense distress that occur during sleep.The condition is more common in children, especially between the ages of 3 and 8 years, as their sleep patterns are still maturing. Unlike nightmares, which usually happen during dreaming (REM sleep) and are often remembered, sleep terrors occur during deep non-REM sleep. Dr Preeti Singh, Senior Consultant, Clinical Psychology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka told HealthandMe, that while it may be frightening to witness, especially for parents, sleep terrors themselves are usually not harmful. Although most kids outgrow this naturally, if the episodes are violent or very frequent, consult a specialist, added Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.What Are Sleep Terrors During sleep terror, the child may sit up abruptly, shout, appear frightened, sweat, breathe rapidly, and be difficult to console. In most cases, they do not recall the episode the next morning. Sleep terrors typically occur in the first third of the night, during deep sleep (slow-wave sleep). They are considered a type of parasomnia, meaning an unusual behavior during sleep. Dr Kumar, in a post on social media platform X, explained that unlike a bad dream, a sleep terror happens in deep sleep (Stage N3). It is characterized by abrupt sitting up/screaming, with physical signs that include a fast heart rate, sweating, and dilated pupils. "It is 11 PM. Your child suddenly sits up, screams at the top of their lungs, and looks terrified. They are not responding to you, and they seem to be looking right through you. This is likely a sleep terror (night terror), a common NREM sleep parasomnia in children aged 3-12,” said Dr Kumar, popularly known as the Hyderabad doctor, on X. The expert noted that the children are unlikely to recognize the parents and be "consoled" during the episodes.  What Factors Trigger Sleep TerrorsSleep deprivation or irregular sleep schedules Fever or illness Emotional stress or anxiety Major life changes or trauma Family history of parasomnias Certain medications For children, sleep terrors are often developmental and tend to reduce as the nervous system matures, Dr Singh told HealthanMe.  How Can Parents Respond? Parents often feel alarmed during a sleep terror episode, but the key is to remain calm, the experts said. They said during an episode: Do not try to fully wake the child, as this may increase confusion and agitation.Gently ensure the child is safe and cannot injure themselves. Speak softly and reassuringly, even if they do not respond. Wait for the episode to pass, which usually happens within a few minutes.Urging parents to stay calm, Dr Kumar urged parents to “gently guide the children back to bed if they wander. Clear the floor of toys or sharp edges”. Other preventive measures include:Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine Ensuring the child gets adequate sleep Reducing screen time before bed Managing stress during the day Creating a calm and secure sleep environmentIf episodes occur at a predictable time each night, gently waking the child 15–20 minutes before the usual episode time for a few nights can help interrupt the cycle. How To ManageMost children do not require medical treatment, as sleep terrors usually resolve on their own with age. Treatment is considered when episodes are frequent, severe, cause injury, or significantly disrupt family life.  However, addressing sleep deprivation, treating any underlying medical conditions (e.g., sleep apnea), counseling or stress management strategies can help.