A night terror, also known as pavor nocturnus,
is a
parasomnia
sleep disorder characterized by extreme terror and a
temporary inability to regain full consciousness. The
subject wakes abruptly from
slow-wave sleep, with waking usually accompanied by
gasping, moaning, or screaming. It is often impossible to
fully awaken the person, and after the episode the subject
normally settles back to sleep without waking. A night
terror can rarely be recalled by the subject. They typically
occur during
non-rapid eye movement sleep.
Night terrors versus
nightmares
Night terrors are distinct from
nightmares in several key ways. First, the subject is
not fully awake when roused, and even when efforts are made
to awaken the sleeper, he/she may continue to experience the
night terror for ten to twenty minutes. Unlike nightmares,
which occur during
REM sleep, night terrors occur during
slow-wave sleep, the deepest level of
NREM sleep. Even if awakened, the subject often cannot
remember the episode except for a sense of
panic, while nightmares usually can be easily recalled.
Unlike nightmares, which are frequently
dreams of a frightening nature, night terrors are not
dreams. Usually there is no situation or event (scary or
otherwise) that is dreamt, but rather the emotion of fear
itself is felt. Often, this is coupled with tension and
apprehension without any distinct sounds or visual imagery,
although sometimes a vague object of fear is identified by
the sufferer. These emotions, generally without a focusing
event or scenario, increase emotions in a cumulative effect.
The lack of a dream itself leaves those awakened from a
night terror in a state of disorientation much more severe
than that caused by a normal nightmare. This can include a
short period of
amnesia during which the subjects may be unable to
recall their names, locations, ages, or any other
identifying features of themselves.
In children
Children from age two to six are most prone to night
terrors, and they affect about fifteen percent of all
children,(although people of any age may experience them). Episodes
may reoccur for a couple of weeks then suddenly disappear.
The symptoms also tend to be different, like the child being
able to recall the experience, and while nearly arisen,
hallucinate. Strong evidence has shown that a
predisposition to night terrors and other parasomniac
disorders can be passed genetically. Though there are a
multitude of triggers; emotional stress during the previous
day and a high fever are thought to precipitate most
episodes. Also, Nyquil and Dayquil may increase risk of
night terrors. Ensuring that the right amount of sleep is
gained is an important factor. Special consideration must be
used when the subject suffers from
narcolepsy.
In adults
Though the
symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are
similar, the
etiology,
prognosis and treatment are qualitatively different.
Adult night terrors are much less common, trauma-based
rather than genetic,
chronic, and usually require treatment in the form of
psychotherapy and
antidepressant
medication. There is some evidence of a link between
adult night terrors and
hypoglycemia.
In addition to night terrors, some adult night terror
sufferers have many of the characteristics of abused and
depressed individuals including inhibition of
aggression,
self-directed anger,
passivity,[3]
anxiety, impaired memory,
and the ability to ignore
pain.
Source: Marketdata Enterprises, Inc. research, Wikipedia
