Night terror, also known as sleep terror, is a sleep disorder, causing feelings of terror or dread, and typically occurs during the first hours of stage 3–4 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria
DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria:
- Recurrent periods where the individual abruptly wakes from sleeping with a scream
- Individual experiences intense fear and symptoms of autonomic arousals, such as increased heart rate, heavy breathing, and increased perspiration
- Individual cannot be soothed or comforted during the episode
- Individual is unable to remember details of the dream or details of the episode
- Occurrence of the sleep terror episode causes clinically significant distress or impairment in the individual’s functioning
- Disturbance is not due to the effects of a substance or general medical condition
Management
- Psychotherapy or counseling
- Severe cases:
- Benzodiazepines (such as diazepam) or tricyclic antidepressants