It’s late at night. Your child suddenly sits up in bed, screaming, wide-eyed, and terrified. You rush in, but they seem to look right through you. They may thrash, sweat, or even run around the room, but no amount of consoling works.
By morning, they had no memory of the incident at all.
For many parents, this can be alarming, but what they are witnessing is often a sleep terror, also called a night terror.
Unlike nightmares, which happen during REM sleep and are often remembered, sleep terrors occur during deep non-REM sleep (Stage N3).
They are most common in children aged three to twelve and, while frightening, are usually harmless.
As Dr Sudhir Kumar, MD DM, Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, explained in a tweet, “This child is most likely having sleep terrors. Understanding sleep terrors in children can help parents respond calmly and safely.”
UNDERSTANDING SLEEP TERRORS IN CHILDREN
Sleep terrors are a type of parasomnia, which means unusual behaviours occur during sleep. During a sleep terror, a child may scream, thrash, or sit up suddenly.
Their heart rate may increase, they may sweat, and their pupils can dilate.
Most importantly, they are unresponsive and cannot be comforted as they would be after a nightmare.
Doctors emphasise that children are not in pain and that these episodes are not signs of emotional trauma or psychological issues. In most cases, children outgrow sleep terrors naturally as they get older.
HOW TO RECOGNISE A SLEEP TERROR
Parents should look for several key signs:
- Sudden Arousal: The child sits up or screams abruptly.
- Physical Signs: Fast heartbeat, sweating, and dilated pupils.
- Unresponsiveness: They do not recognise parents or respond to soothing attempts.
- Amnesia: Children typically have no memory of the episode the next day.
Unlike nightmares, sleep terrors happen in the first half of the night and usually last only a few minutes, though they can feel much longer.
HOW PARENTS SHOULD RESPOND
Dr Sudhir Kumar advises that the most important rule is not to wake the child, as this can make them more agitated and prolong the episode. Instead:
- Stay Calm: Remember, they are not in danger.
- Ensure Safety: Gently guide them back to bed if they wander. Remove objects that could cause injury.
- Prioritise Sleep: Over-tiredness is the main trigger. Maintain a consistent bedtime and good sleep routine.
By staying calm and focusing on safety, parents can reduce the risk of accidents during sleep terrors.
THE “SCHEDULED AWAKENING” METHOD
For children who experience sleep terrors at roughly the same time each night, Dr Kumar suggests a technique called scheduled awakening.
Parents wake the child 15–30 minutes before the typical terror occurs, for a few nights. This can reset the child’s sleep cycle and reduce or eliminate episodes.
This method works best when combined with healthy sleep habits and is usually temporary.
If episodes become violent, frequent, or disrupt daily life, consulting a paediatric sleep specialist is recommended.
LOOKING AHEAD: WHEN TO SEEK HELP
Sleep terrors are usually harmless and self-limiting. Most children outgrow them without treatment. However, medical guidance is needed if:
- Episodes are frequent or violent.
- The child has other sleep problems, such as sleepwalking or insomnia.
- The child’s daytime functioning is affected.
Understanding sleep terrors, as Dr Kumar highlights in his tweet, can help parents respond calmly, protect their child, and reduce anxiety around nighttime episodes.
Sleep terrors are common in children and can be startling for families, but they are generally not dangerous.
Awareness, consistent sleep routines, and careful observation are the best tools for parents.
In most cases, children will outgrow these episodes, leaving only the memory of a scary night and the relief that comes with knowing what was happening.
