NIGHT TERRORS

your DEFINITION wall, or break a window. Try to gently direct child back to bed. 1 btlt cannot be o Your child is agitatecl ancl restless 3. Prepare babysitters or overnight leaders for awakened or comforted. the-e episodes' Explain to people who care for o Your child may sit up or run helplessly about, possi- your chilcl what a night terror is and what to do if bl1' screaming or talking wildll'. one happens. Understanding this will prevent them he r Although your child appears to be anxious, from overreacting if your child has a night terror' doesn't mention any specilic fears. o \bur child doesn't appear to realize that you are there. Although the eyes are wide open and staring, PREVENTIONOF NIGHTTERRORS you. 1'our child looks right through 1. Keep your child from becoming overtired' or persons in the . Your child may mistake obfects Sleep deprivation is the most common trigger for room for dangers. night terrors. For preschoolers, restore the after- after going to sleep' . The episode begins I to 2 hours noon nap. If your child refuses the nap, encourage r to minutes' The episode lasts from 10 30 a l-hour "quiet tim€." Also avoid late bedtimes be- . the episode in the Your chilbedtime. Move lightsout time by a physician' o This cliagnosismust be confirmed to 15 minutes earlier each night until your child can self-awakenin the morning. Cause 2. Use prompted awakenings for frequent night has frequent night terrors, Night terrors are an inherited disorder in which a teffors. If your child has found a new way to chilcl tends to have dreams during deep sleep from Dr. B. task of London sleep pattern in 9O% of rvlriclr it is clifhcult to aw:rketl. Tl'tcy occttr in 2'% <>f climinate this distressing nights, note how many min- chilclrer.r ancl usualll' are not caused by psychological children. For scveral falling asleep to the onset of the stress. Being overtired can trigger night terrors' utes elapse from night terror. Then awaken your child 15 minutes ExpectedCourse before the expected time of onset' (Remind your child at becltime that when you do this, his job is Night terrors usually occur within 2 hours of bed- "to wake up fast." Keep your child fully awake and will time. Night terrors are harmless and each episode out of bed for 5 minutes. Carry out these prompted problem end of its own accord in deep sleep. The awakenings for seven consecutive nights' If the usuallv disappearsby l2 years of age or sooner' night terrors return, repeat this seven-nighttraining program. DEALINGWITH NIGHT TERRORS return to normal sleep' Try to help your child OFFICE lbur goal is to help your child go from agitated CALL OUR sleep to a calm sleep. You won't be able to awaken ia so that 1'our child, so don't try. Turn on the lights your child is less confused by shadows. Make sooth- ing comments such as "You are all right You are Durtng regular bours if home in )'our own bed. You can rest now." Speak . or stiffening occurs' calmll'and repetitivell'. Such comments are usually Any clrooling, ferking, r two or more tim€s per week better than silence and may help your child refocus' The episodes occur prompted awakenings' Some children like to have their hand held during' after cloing the seven . than minutes. this time, but most will pull away. Hold your child Episodeslast longer 30 . dangerousduring an epi' onlf if it seems to help him feel better. There is no Your chilcl does something wav to abruptly shorten the episode. Strakingyour sode. . during the second half of the night' chiid or shouting at him will iust cause the child to Episodesoccur . daytime fears' become more agitated and will prolong the attack' Your child has several e a factor' Protect your child against infury. During a night You feel family stressma1'be or concerns. terror, a child can fall down a stairway, rlln into a o You have other questions PEDIATRICAFFILIATEs OF IIAAAPTONROAE5 200GRAvsoN RD., sTE^ 101 ) VIRGINIAgEACH, VA 23462 PH 473-3200 FAX:473-0459

by wB saundem company. 161 Instnrctloils lor Pedlatr.lc Patlents, 2nd Edltlon, 'o1999 parcnts \\,rirrcn bI Rarton t). Schnrirr. tr!l), pccliatricianand author ot Your Chtld's Health, ts^nlam Books, a b(x)k lbr