Quick answer: A sleep terror is an episode of distress during a partial awakening from non-REM sleep. Stay calm, prevent injury and let the episode pass. Recurrent, dangerous or unusual episodes deserve a conversation with a healthcare professional.
Seeing someone sit up screaming while seemingly unaware of you can be frightening. Sleep terrors are more common in children, and many outgrow them, but adults can experience them too. Understanding the difference from a nightmare can help you respond calmly.
What does a sleep terror look like?
A person may sit up, cry or shout, appear frightened, sweat, breathe rapidly or move around. Their eyes may be open, but they may not fully respond or recognize you. Episodes often occur in the first part of the night and the person usually has little or no memory afterward. These are patterns, not a way to diagnose an individual episode.
Sleep terrors are a type of non-REM parasomnia. Sleepwalking can occur too. The MedlinePlus guide describes common features and when to contact a provider.
Night terror vs. nightmare
| Feature | Sleep terror | Nightmare |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness | May appear awake but be hard to fully rouse | Usually wakes and can respond |
| Recall | Often little or no memory | May remember the frightening dream |
| Usual timing | Often earlier in the night | Often later, but timing varies |
Not every event fits neatly into a table. If an episode is unusual, a clinician can evaluate whether it is a parasomnia or something else.
What to do during an episode
- Stay nearby, remain calm and keep the environment quiet.
- Move nearby hazards and block access to stairs or other dangers. Gently guide the person away from danger if necessary.
- Avoid trying to wake or restrain them unless needed for immediate safety; attempts to wake them can increase confusion or distress.
- Wait for the episode to pass. If they wake fully and are upset, offer reassurance.
The NHS guidance recommends staying calm, keeping the person safe and not trying to wake them during a typical episode. Breathing difficulty, serious injury or an episode that looks like a seizure requires prompt medical assessment.
Can you reduce episodes?
Sleep deprivation, an irregular schedule, fever or stress can coincide with episodes. Give the person enough opportunity for sleep and keep a consistent bedtime and wake time where practical. A sleep diary can help: record bedtime, episode timing and duration, symptoms, illness and any unusual schedule changes.
If episodes happen at a predictable time, ask a pediatrician or sleep professional whether scheduled awakenings are appropriate. Do not stop or change medications without speaking with the prescriber. If loud snoring or breathing pauses disrupt sleep, mention them to a clinician.
When to speak with a professional
Contact a clinician when episodes are frequent, worsening, lead to injury, disrupt family sleep, cause daytime problems or begin in adulthood. Seek assessment for unusual movements or uncertainty about what is happening. Video recorded safely, with appropriate privacy and consent, and a sleep diary can help describe an episode.
Seek emergency help for serious breathing problems, severe injury, a prolonged seizure or other immediate danger. A sleep terror should not be assumed to explain every alarming nighttime event.
Frequently asked questions
Are sleep terrors a sign of bad parenting?
No. They can occur for many reasons and do not establish a problem with a child’s home or family.
Should I wake my child?
For a typical episode, focus on safety and allow it to pass. Seek urgent help if there is a medical emergency.
Do adults get sleep terrors?
Yes. New or disruptive episodes in adults should be discussed with a clinician.