Sleep terrors are different from nightmares. They are episodes of intense fear or panic that arise from deep sleep, often with screaming, rapid breathing, sweating, confusion, or difficulty being comforted. Many people have little or no memory of the event afterward, though the episodes can be frightening for bed partners or family members.

 

Treatment focuses on understanding when and why the episodes occur, improving safety during sleep, and reducing factors that make the nervous system more vulnerable at night. When episodes follow a predictable pattern, scheduled awakenings may be used to interrupt the cycle. We also address contributing factors such as irregular sleep schedules, sleep deprivation, alcohol use, stress, and other sleep disorders that may increase the likelihood of episodes.