Cause Of Night Terrors
Sarah Tudda
Night Terrors
HED 103
Professor Rist
Pavor nocturnus is the literal translation of night terrors from Latin. For centuries, people assumed night terrors were related to demonic possession. It wasn’t until rapid eye movement was discovered that doctors could knock this theory down. Often, night terrors are confused with nightmares, but they both occur at different parts of the sleep cycle, thus making them completely un-relatable. Night terrors are a sleep disorder in which a person suddenly wakes from sleep into a horrified state. (NY Times Health 1) Just like any sleeping disorder, there are many different symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatments. To differentiate between a nightmare and a night …show more content…
A tendency definitely exists for the condition to run in families, but researchers haven’t yet identified the gene associated with such attacks.” (Hirshkowitz 250) These attacks are more common in children than adults, researchers say about three percent of children suffer from night terrors, less than thirty-six percent of these continue into adolescence, and even less in adults. (Carranza 37) There are few factors that have been proven to cause a night terror such as sleep deprivation and being off your regular sleep schedule. Other factors such as stress and anxiety have been known to provoke as well. In limited occasions, a night terror can develop from a traumatic experience. Most commonly found in instances with children, a fever can cause …show more content…
Doctors may suggest a family member or bedmate to support to the person suffering from an episode. Since sleep deprivation is a cause, a person should try to get as much sleep as possible to reduce them. Minimal stress and anxiety will help. Making sure the environment around the sleeper is safe can reduce accidents, “Accident-proof the bedroom to minimize risk of injury to the sleeper, and secure all doors and windows to keep the sleeper from getting outside.” (Hirshkowitz 252) There is no drug treatment available but to reduce episodes, some doctors suggest taking a sleep inducing
Night Terrors
HED 103
Professor Rist
Pavor nocturnus is the literal translation of night terrors from Latin. For centuries, people assumed night terrors were related to demonic possession. It wasn’t until rapid eye movement was discovered that doctors could knock this theory down. Often, night terrors are confused with nightmares, but they both occur at different parts of the sleep cycle, thus making them completely un-relatable. Night terrors are a sleep disorder in which a person suddenly wakes from sleep into a horrified state. (NY Times Health 1) Just like any sleeping disorder, there are many different symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatments. To differentiate between a nightmare and a night …show more content…
A tendency definitely exists for the condition to run in families, but researchers haven’t yet identified the gene associated with such attacks.” (Hirshkowitz 250) These attacks are more common in children than adults, researchers say about three percent of children suffer from night terrors, less than thirty-six percent of these continue into adolescence, and even less in adults. (Carranza 37) There are few factors that have been proven to cause a night terror such as sleep deprivation and being off your regular sleep schedule. Other factors such as stress and anxiety have been known to provoke as well. In limited occasions, a night terror can develop from a traumatic experience. Most commonly found in instances with children, a fever can cause …show more content…
Doctors may suggest a family member or bedmate to support to the person suffering from an episode. Since sleep deprivation is a cause, a person should try to get as much sleep as possible to reduce them. Minimal stress and anxiety will help. Making sure the environment around the sleeper is safe can reduce accidents, “Accident-proof the bedroom to minimize risk of injury to the sleeper, and secure all doors and windows to keep the sleeper from getting outside.” (Hirshkowitz 252) There is no drug treatment available but to reduce episodes, some doctors suggest taking a sleep inducing