Symptoms:

• Sudden awakening from sleep
• Persistent fear or terror that occurs at night
• Screaming
• Sweating
• Confusion
• Rapid heart rate
• No recall of "bad dreams" or nightmares
  • Unable to explain what happened
  • May have a sense of frightening images
  • No memory of the event when they awaken the next day
• Unable to fully wake up
• Difficult to comfort

Note: Episodes are most common in the first third of the night. They may last 10 - 20 minutes, then normal sleep returns.

Signs and tests:

In many cases, no further examination or testing is needed. If the night terror is severe or prolonged, the child may need a psychological evaluation.