A night terror, also known as pavor nocturnus, is a parasomnia sleep disorder characterized by extreme terror and a temporary inability to regain full consciousness. The subject wakes abruptly from slow-wave sleep, with waking usually accompanied by gasping, moaning, or screaming. It is often impossible to fully awaken the person, and after the episode the subject normally settles back to sleep without waking. A night terror can occasionally be recalled by the subject. They typically occur during non-REM sleep. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... For other uses, see Night Terror. ... A parasomnia is any sleep disorder such as sleepwalking, sleepeating, sleep sex, teeth grinding, night terrors, rhythmic movement disorder, REM behaviour disorder, restless leg syndrome, and somniloquy (or sleep talking), characterized by partial arousals during sleep or during transitions between wakefulness and sleep. ... Polysomnogram demonstrating SWS. High amplitude EEG is highlighted in red. ...

Night terrors versus nightmares

Night terrors are distinct from nightmares in several key ways. First, the subject is not fully awake when roused, and even when efforts are made to awaken the sleeper, he/she may continue to experience the night terror for ten to twenty minutes. Unlike nightmares, which occur during REM sleep, night terrors occur during slow-wave sleep, the deepest levels of non-REM sleep. Even if awakened, the subject often cannot remember the episode except for a sense of panic, while nightmares usually can be easily recalled. After the night terror is complete, it can often result in a seizure, which is commonly a tonic-clonic type (although the subject may not be epileptic). The subject often has no recollection of the incident, nor the seizure. In common current usage, the term nightmare refers to dreams of particular intensity, with content that the sleeper finds disturbing, related either to physiological causes, such as a high fever, or to psychological ones, such as unusual trauma or stress in the sleepers life. ... Rapid eye movement (REM) is the stage of sleep during which the most vivid (though not all) dreams occur. ... Polysomnogram demonstrating SWS. High amplitude EEG is highlighted in red. ... Panic is the primal urge to run and hide in the face of imminent disaster. ... Tonic-clonic seizures (also known as Grand Mal Seizures, though this term is now discouraged and rarely used in a clinical setting) are a type of generalised seizure affecting the whole brain. ...

Unlike nightmares, which are frequently a scary event dream (e.g. a monster under the bed, falling to one's death, etc.), night terrors are not dreams. Usually there is no situation or event (scary or otherwise) that is dreamt, but rather the emotion of fear itself is felt. Often, this is coupled with tension and apprehension without any distinct sounds or visual imagery, although sometimes a vague object of fear is identified by the sufferer. These emotions, generally without a focusing event or scenario, increase emotions in a cumulative effect. The lack of a dream itself leaves those awakened from a night terror in a state of disorientation much more severe than that caused by a normal nightmare. This can include a short period of amnesia during which the subject may be unable to recall his name, location, age, or any other identifying features of themselves. This state generally passes after only one or two minutes. Amnesia or amnæsia (from Greek ) (see spelling differences) is a condition in which memory is disturbed. ...

While each night terror is usually different, all episodes of the same person will generally have similar traits. One of the most common qualities of night terrors is a strong sense of danger. For these people there is always a being (similar to a doppelgänger), tangible or otherwise, who wishes to hurt the sleeping person, or the sleeping person's loved ones. Many sufferers of night terrors are reluctant to speak of them because of their violent and often disturbing nature. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In children

Children from age two to six are most prone to night terrors, and they affect about fifteen percent of all children,^[1] (although people of any age may experience them). Episodes may re-occur for a couple of weeks then suddenly disappear. Strong evidence has shown that a predisposition to night terrors and other parasomniac disorders can be passed genetically. Though there are a multitude of triggers; emotional stress during the previous day and a high fever are thought to precipitate most episodes. Ensuring that the right amount of sleep is gained is an important factor. Special consideration must be used when the subject suffers from narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological condition most characterized by Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). ...

In adults

Though the symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are similar, the etiology, prognosis and treatment are qualitatively different. Adult night terrors are much less common, trauma-based rather than genetic, chronic, and usually require treatment in the form of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. The term symptom (from the Greek meaning chance, mishap or casualty, itself derived from συμπιπτω meaning to fall upon or to happen to) has two similar meanings in the context of physical and mental health: Strictly, a symptom is a sensation or change in health function experienced by a patient. ... Etiology (alternately aetiology, aitiology) is the study of causation. ... Prognosis (older Greek πρόγνωσις, modern Greek πρόγνωση - literally fore-knowing, foreseeing) is a medical term denoting the doctors prediction of how a patients disease will progress, and whether there is chance of recovery. ... In medicine, a chronic disease is a disease that is long-lasting or recurrent. ... Psychotherapy is an interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in problems of living. ... A recent form of antidepressant medication - Prozac Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, Venlafaxine An antidepressant, in the most common usage, is a psychiatric medication taken to alleviate clinical depression or dysthymia (milder depression). ... It has been suggested that Blockbuster drug be merged into this article or section. ...

In addition to night terrors, adult night terror sufferers have many of the characteristics of abused and depressed individuals including inhibition of aggression,^[2] self-directed anger,^[2] passivity,^[3] anxiety, impaired memory,^[4], and the ability to ignore pain.^[5]. In addition, they often suffer from chronic sleep deprivation resulting in a lowered immune system, irritability, lack of thermoregulation, and many social and interpersonal problems.^{[citation needed]} In psychology and other social and behavioral sciences, aggression refers to behavior that is intended to cause harm or pain. ... “Hurting” redirects here. ... Sleep deprivation is a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ... Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when temperature surrounding is very different. ...

Treating night terror episodes

The consensus for treating night terror episodes is three-pronged: gentleness, disposal of anything nearby that might hurt the subject, and avoiding loud voices or movements that might frighten the subject further. It is also critical to remember that the person experiencing the terror is unaware that they are experiencing one. As a result, they may become even more agitated if told that "it was just a dream," as they are quite convinced that the experience is real. The quickest remedy is simply to calm the person by telling the person that you are there for them or simply say, "I'm here". Telling the victim "It's OK" or "nothing's there" may agitate the sleeper further because feelings they are feeling are very real to them and obviously not "OK". However, simply knowing the person's source of "calm" helps immensely. If he/she has a favorite companion dog or cat, telling them that the cat or dog is warm in bed, safe and asleep, and that they need to sleep as well could also be a good trigger. Calm the person and convince them to "go back to sleep"

In some cases, they may be calmed by the mere presence of a familiar person. Night terrors are transitory, so medical help is often unnecessary, but options may range from treatment of sleep apnea to prescription of benzodiazepines and psychotherapy. Sleep apnea or sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. ... Alprazolam 2mg tablets The benzodiazepines (pronounced , or benzos for short) are a class of psychoactive drugs considered as minor tranquilizers with varying hypnotic, sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and amnesic properties, which are brought on by slowing down the central nervous system. ... Psychotherapy is an interpersonal, relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients in problems of living. ...

A successfully used method for treating night terrors is to have the sufferer sit down and engage them in something light-hearted and harmless, such as television or easy conversation. This helps to distract the sufferer from their perceived experience, and let them regain normal consciousness. More calming, positive reinforcement can then be administered. Turning on lights and appliances like the TV or radio can also help transition the individual into normality, as a lit room with routine sounds is more normal (while awake) than a dark, quiet room. Consciousness is a quality of the mind generally regarded to comprise qualities such as subjectivity, self-awareness, sentience, sapience, and the ability to perceive the relationship between oneself and ones environment. ... In operant conditioning, reinforcement is an increase in the strength of a response following the presentation of a stimulus contingent on that response. ...

Famous people suffering from night terrors

The most famous avowed sufferer of night terrors is probably H. R. Giger, though H. P. Lovecraft is widely believed to have experienced them as well.^{[citation needed]} Birth machine This image has an uncertain copyright status and is pending deletion. ... Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937) was an American author of fantasy, horror and science fiction. ...

In television

• Alan Shore, a primary character of the ABC Network television series Boston Legal, suffers from night terrors which result in him sleepwalking, and nearly jumping from his apartment balcony.

• Scott Mechlowicz, a guest character of the Fox Network television series House M.D., suffers from night terrors which result in his family to seek Doctor House. Although skeptical at first, Dr. House notices a myoclonic jerk, which is uncommon when not falling asleep.

Alan Shore is a fictional character on the ABC Network television series Boston Legal, portrayed by James Spader. ... The American Broadcasting Company ( oftenly known as ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... A television program is the content of television broadcasting. ... Boston Legal is an American dramedy television series that began airing on ABC on October 3rd, 2004. ... Sleepwalking (also called somnambulism or noctambulism), under the larger category of parasomnias, is a sleep disorder where the sufferer engages in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness while asleep or in a sleeplike state. ... Scott Mechlowicz (born January 17, 1981 in New York City) is an American actor best known for his roles in Eurotrip (2004) and the well-reviewed independent film, Mean Creak. ... The Fox Broadcasting Company is a television network in the United States. ... A television program is the content of television broadcasting. ... House, M.D. (commonly promoted as just House) is an American television series aired by the Fox Broadcasting Company. ...

See also

• Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up (known as hypnopompic paralysis) or, less often, shortly before falling asleep (known as hypnagogic paralysis). ...

References

• Carranza, Christopher. Banishing Night Terrors and Nightmares Kensington Books, 2004.

Notes

1. ^ Iannelli, Vincent (March 23rd, 2003). Night Terrors. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. From about.com
2. ^ ^{a b} Kales, J; Kales A, Soldatos CR, Caldwell AB, Charney DS & Martin ED (1980). "Night terrors. Clinical characteristics and personality patterns". Archives of General Psychiatry 37 (12): 1413-17. PMID 7447622. Retrieved on 2007-05-31. 
3. ^ Kales, JC; Cadieux RJ, Soldatos CR & Kales A. (1982). "Psychotherapy with night terror patients". American Journal of Psychotherapy 36 (3): 399-407. PMID 7149087. Retrieved on 2007-05-31. 
4. ^ Horowitz, MJ (1999). Essential papers on posttraumatic stress disorder. New York University Press. ISBN 0-8147-3559-2. 
5. ^ Chu, J (2001). Rebuilding Shattered Lives: The Responsible Treatment of Complex Post-Traumatic and Dissociative Disorders. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0471247324. 

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Screenshot of About. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Night Terror Resource Center
• eMedicine Health: Night Terrors
• National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus: Night Terrors
• National Library of Medicine - Medical Subject Headings: Night Terrors