Night Terrors

Many children have nightmares and night terrors, and most children grow out of them as they get older. Some adults can have them too. While both can be scary for families, they're usually not something to worry about.

What's the Difference?

Night terrors and nightmares are not the same thing. They happen at different times during sleep and affect people differently.

Night Terrors

• Mostly happen to children aged 3 to 8
• The person may scream, shout, or move around a lot
• Their eyes might be open, but they're still asleep
• They won't remember it happening
• Usually happen early in the night
• Can last up to 15 minutes
• Sometimes happen more than once in a night

Nightmares

• Happen to both children and adults
• These are bad dreams that wake you up
• You can usually remember what happened in the dream
• Create strong feelings of fear
• Happen later in the night during lighter sleep

What Causes Them?

Common causes include:

• Being very tired or unwell
• Sudden noises at night
• Needing to go to the toilet during the night
• Watching something scary or feeling stressed or worried
• Taking certain medicines like antidepressants
• Sleep problems like sleep apnoea or restless legs
• Mental health conditions like anxiety
• Brain conditions like Parkinson's disease
• A serious injury (sleep can be disturbed for 4-6 weeks after)

Night terrors often run in families, especially if family members sleepwalk too.

When to Speak to Your GP

You should speak to your GP if:

• Your child still has nightmares after age 6
• Your child has frequent nightmares, especially after something upsetting
• Your child still has night terrors after age 12
• Your child starts having night terrors after age 5
• You're having regular nightmares that affect your sleep and daily life

How to Help

Most people get better on their own without treatment. Things you can try:

For better sleep:

• Create a relaxing bedtime routine
• Keep a sleep diary to spot patterns
• Note how long you sleep, how long it takes to fall asleep, and how you feel the next day
• Try to deal with stress or worry

During a night terror:

• Stay calm and wait for them to calm down
• Don't try to talk to them or stop them moving (unless they might hurt themselves)
• Don't try to wake them up - they might not recognise you and get more upset

Special tip: If night terrors happen at the same time every night, try gently waking the person 15 minutes before the usual time, every night for 2 weeks. This might stop them happening.

Treatment Options

If night terrors or nightmares keep happening, your GP might suggest:

• Talking therapy (CBT) for frequent nightmares
• Counselling if nightmares are caused by a traumatic event
• Treatment for any sleep conditions that might be causing the problem

Remember, sleep paralysis (when you can't move or speak as you wake up or fall asleep) is different from night terrors.

Most children grow out of these sleep problems naturally. If you're concerned, speak to your GP for advice specific to your situation.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.