Night terror

Alternative names:

pavor nocturnus; sleep terror disorder

Symptoms:

• sudden awakening from sleep
• persistent fear or terror that occurs at night
• screaming
• sweating
• confusion
• rapid heart rate
• unable to explain what happened
• no recall of "bad dreams" or nightmares
  • may have a vague sense of frightening images

• unable to fully arouse
• difficult to comfort
• no memory of the event on awakening the next day

Note: Episodes are most common in the first third of the night. They may last 10 to 20 minutes, then normal sleep returns.

Signs and tests:

In many cases, no further examination or testing is necessary. If night terror is severe or prolonged, psychologic evaluation may be appropriate.