Signs Your Child is Having Night Terrors and What to Do About It

Though sometimes used interchangeably, nightmares and night terrors are two very different sleep disturbances commonly seen in children. A nightmare, which is a disturbing or frightening dream that can wake a child from sleep occurs during the REM phase, which is when dreaming happens. A night terror, however, happens in the transition between non-REM to REM sleep and is actually not a dream at all. When examined side-by-side, a nightmare and night terror truly look nothing alike. 

While almost every child will have at least one nightmare, night terrors are much less common and could signify a problem. Night terrors occur in around 5% of children, and can even happen in babies as young as 18-months-old. This article seeks to compare the differences between nightmares and night terrors, dissecting the symptoms associated with each, and offer parents guidance on ways to navigate these sleep disturbances with their children. 

Dealing with Nightmares

Put simply, a nightmare is a vividly realistic, often scary dream that happens during REM sleep, when dreaming is supposed to occur. Both children and adults can be affected by nightmares, but they are much more common in childhood. Though they are a normal and natural part of child development, nightmares that wake children up at night can be difficult to navigate. They cause emotional distress, a sense of fear, and interrupt very important sleeping time. Up to 50% of children between 3 and 6 years old will experience nightmares, though the vast majority will overcome them without the need for medical intervention (1). Most children outgrow their nightmares by about 12-years-old.

Symptoms of Nightmares

Though a nightmare might have some similar symptoms to a night terror, like screaming and kicking, they are not the same. After a nightmare, the child can typically tell you what they were dreaming and why they felt scared. They have a recollection of the event, and older children are usually able to put themselves back to sleep without an issue after a nightmare. 

Occasional bad dreams are typical of childhood, but persistent and recurrent nightmares should be investigated. While the cause of nightmares may never fully be understood, taking steps like reducing stress, encouraging a regular bedtime, and avoiding scary movies can help prevent them (2). 

Working Through Nightmares with Your Child

Most often, the best thing a parent can do for a child who is suffering from nightmares is to talk through the experience with them and remind them that they are safe. Reassure your child that you are always there and ready to respond, and label the experience so that they can learn to identify it. Consider implementing a nightlight, and offer a comfort object like a blanket or stuffed animal. Gently encourage your child to go back to sleep, and ensure that they are calm to help prevent repeat future nightmares. 

Recognizing Night Terrors

They might share similar names, but night terrors are nothing like traditional nightmares. These episodes can be extremely disturbing for parents and caregivers to witness, but children often have no memory of the event at all. Also called “sleep terrors”, night terrors result in children that are frantic, inconsolable, and downright terrified. Night terrors are almost immediately picked out as something different from nightmares, simply because of the ferocity of their presentation. Each episode will look different for each individual, but some of the most recognizable characteristics include:

1. They Have No Memory of the Event

As mentioned above, children during night terrors are often completely inconsolable. They might be wide-eyed and staring directly at you, talking and seeming coherent, but not communicating at all. This is because, during a night terror, your child is still asleep and will likely have little to no memory of the event at all. After the night terror ends, your child will likely go to bed, lay down, and fall back into a deep sleep (3). Unlike a nightmare, there is nothing very little you can do during a night terror because your child is not fully awake or able to rationally talk about the event. 

2. They Thrash Around

Because children suffering from a night terror are likely to feel a persistent fear during the episode, they run, jump, and thrash around during the episode. They will also have a very fast heart rate, rapid breathing, and a glassy stare. Children are often sweaty and look very scared throughout the duration of the night terror. Most last anywhere from 5-10 minutes, but some children take 30-40 minutes to fully come out of a night terror. 

What You Can Do to Help

During a night terror, parents and caregivers feel helpless because there is really nothing that can be done. The most important thing during these episodes is to monitor the child and ensure that they don’t do anything to hurt themselves because no real comfort can be offered until they wake up again. Parents are discouraged from trying to wake their child, as attempts are typically in vain anyway, but should just sit patiently and wait for them to wake up again (4).

The exact cause of night terrors is not known, but there is believed to be a genetic link to the sleep disorder. There are no guaranteed ways to prevent night terrors, but some steps to reduce their frequency can be taken. 

Steps to Prevent Night Terrors:

1. Help Your Child Avoid Becoming Overtired: Sleep deprivation and sleep disturbances are believed to be the number one cause for night terrors. Encourage a healthy bedtime routine, and make sure your child is getting enough sleep each night. 

2. Cool Your Child’s Bedroom: A warm environment and hot body temperature could cause night terrors and other sleep disturbances in some children. Avoid giving warm baths before bed to children with night terrors, and use a fan to help keep their room cool. 

3. Encourage Bathroom Use Before Bedtime: A full bladder could be another cause for the rocky transition between NREM and REM sleep. Make sure your child empties their bladder before bedtime. 

References

1. Clinic, C. (2020, Sep 09). Nightmares In Children. Cleveland Clinic.

2. Ben-Joseph, E. (2018, May 01). Nightmares. Kids Health.

3. B, U. (2004, Jan 01). Sleep Problems. Children's of Alabama.

4. Health, K. (2020, January 01). Night Terrors. Johns Hopkins Medicine.