Night terrors: panic during sleep

One of the least known sleep disorders.

The night terrorsalong with sleepwalking, are among the most shocking sleep disorders. Most probably, we know of outstanding cases of night terrors or we have even been the protagonist of one of these episodes at some point in our lives. They are experiences that are not easily forgotten: they are experienced as moments of great disturbance and confusion, and to the sufferer they can seem to last forever (although in reality they last only a few minutes).

We are talking about a state of paralysis in a situation in which consciousness and unconsciousness are confused and all that we perceive is and everything we perceive is clouded by fear. fearnight terror episodes have everything to be terrifying. However, beyond the emotional charge that night terrors carry each time they are experienced, it is difficult to know much more about this phenomenon. Why do they occur? What is the origin of these terrors? Is there an organic or psychological cause? c**** organic or psychological causeWhat does science say about it?

Night terrors and sleep disorders

To speak of night terrors is to speak of sleep disorders, group in which the first ones are included. Within the classification of sleep disorders is the group of parasomnias, which is divided into three groups:

• Parasomnias of awakening
• Parasomnias associated with REM sleep
• Other parasomnias

Night terrors are in the first group. Unlike sleepwalking (which is also an arousal disturbance), night terrors are usually characterized by extreme fear and terror associated with paralysis of the sufferer, keeping him/her in a significant state of tension. They usually occur within the first 2 or 3 hours after the person begins to sleep.

What is the difference between night terrors and nightmares?

The main difference with nightmares is that the latter occur entirely within the REM sleep phase and produce a complete awakening. The night terror, however, is a half awakening: we are aware of certain things in the waking world, but we are not able to become independent of the dream and, most likely, when the episode is over we will continue sleeping to the point of forgetting what happened.

Velayos (2009) explains that night terrors are episodes of crying and screaming that appear suddenly during deep sleep phrases, in the middle of the night. In addition, they are also expressed on the face by a facial expression of strong terror. As in somnambulism, this disorder usually occurs in childhoodThey are less common after the age of 4 to 7 years. In the adult stage they can appear at any time, and sometimes it is possible that several episodes are repeated during the same night. Sáez Pérez states that during an episode of night terror in childhood, symptoms such as abundant sweating, elevated Heart rate, confusion and crying are usually present. This symptomatology does not vary in adolescence or adulthood.

Causes of night terrors

Little is known about the neurological and physiological aspects of what causes night terrors. However, some mental health specialists believe that there are some factors that can trigger this disorder, among which the following stand out:

• Lack of sleep
• States of emotional tension
• Consumption of drugs or some type of drug.
• Organic problems

Diagnosis

In order to obtain a diagnosis, it is advisable to visit a mental health professional so that he/she can evaluate the problem thoroughly. It should be noted that there are other disorders with symptoms very similar to those of night terrors and that only a qualified professional will be able to differentiate them and give a final diagnosis. Among the disorders with similar symptoms are:

• Nightmares
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sleep paralysis

Treatment for night terrors

Science is advancing, but as far as the origins of sleep disorders are concerned, no explanations have been offered as to their logic and functioning. It is an enigma yet to be studied, and night terror is no exception to this rule.

To this day there is no specific treatment for night terrors. for night terrors. As with sleepwalking, certain professionals recommend alternative techniques such as meditation, hypnosis, yoga, etc. As long as they are complementary to a psychological or psychiatric intervention.