Nightmares and Night Terrors in Children

One of the most common concerns of parents is sleep disturbances, including nightmares and night terrors.

About nightmares

Nightmares occur quite commonly in young children. Typically, a child with a nightmare wakes up completely, is very anxious, and usually remembers the content of the dream vividly. Childhood nightmares require no specific treatment, except for reassuring the frightened child. Occasionally, when nightmares become more frequent or occur on a regular basis, it may be a sign of stress in the child’s life or environment. Also, the content of the bad dream or nightmare may be a clue to what is stressing the child. Therefore, extreme situations of persistent nightmares may warrant evaluation of the child’s a family/social environment and psychological state.

About night terrors

Night terrors occur less commonly and are different from nightmares. Typically, children with terrors are out of control, but still awake. They may be sitting up in bed, appear frightened, staring with eyes wide open. They may also be sweating, breathing heavily, and complaining of seeing peculiar things or objects that are not really there. This period of “terror” may last for up to several minutes and then the child will usually go back to sleep. What distinguishes night terrors (which occur in less than 5% of children) from nightmares is that the child does not recall the dream or event leading to the night terror, and in many cases, does not recall that anything at all happened during the night.

What causes nightmares and night terrors?

Although the exact cause of night terrors, nightmares, and other sleep disturbances, is not understood, they are thought to be a result of waking up during a certain stage of the normal sleep cycle. Night terrors occur during the Stage 4 or non-REM sleep period. Nightmares, on the other hand, occur during another stage or during REM sleep.

Do nightmares and night terrors ever stop?

Night terrors are generally infrequent and usually stop on their own without specific treatment. In rare cases where night terrors are frequent and/or associated with sleepwalking, specific medications may be required. This occurs very rarely. Happily, most children outgrow both nightmares and night terrors.

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Pediatrician DR.PAUL Roumeliotis is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The information provided above is designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace the advice and care of your child’s physician, nor is it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect that your child has a medical condition always consult a physician.