Night terrors
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Behavioral sciences
Psychological disorders
Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a type of sleep disorder that is characterized by episodes of intense fear, screaming, and thrashing during sleep. Night terrors typically occur during the first hours of stage 3-4 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
During a night terror, a person may sit up in bed and scream, shout, or thrash around, but they are usually not fully awake and are not able to remember the episode afterward. Night terrors are different from nightmares, which occur during the later stages of sleep and are typically more vivid and easier to remember.
Treatment of night terrors may include identifying and addressing any underlying causes, such as sleep deprivation or stress, and implementing good sleep hygiene practices, such as establishing a consistent bedtime routine and creating a sleep-friendly environment.