Sleep Terrors
If you have ever woken up screaming or kicking around, you may have experienced a sleep terror. Like sleepwalking, sleep terrors are much more common in children and can be caused by a lack of sleep, some medications, and certain illnesses. Experiences of traumatic events also increases the likelihood of having sleep terrors. Those experiencing a sleep terror are in a state in between being awake and being asleep so it is often difficult to assist them. Although the terms are often mistakenly used interchangeably, Neubauer states that “nightmares have an emotional narrative; sleep terrors are often simply a very crystallized notion of fear and danger.” An improved sleep environment can decrease the likelihood of sleep terrors but medication might be needed if they are more severe.
