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Night Terror |
Sleeping Problems (Home) > Night Terror > Night Sleep Terrors Night Sleep TerrorsGeneralNight terrors are known in medical jargon as pavor nocturnus when it occurs in children and incubus when the patients are adults. It is a form of neurological disorder wherein the patient experiences terror in sleep. As the patient goes to bed and slips into the deepest sleep he is traumatized by the horrors of the visual imagery of his dreams. In extreme cases such patients may experience seizures and permanent disabilities. Symptoms of Night Sleep TerrorsA patient of Night Sleep Terrors invariably screams sits up and is restless sometimes gasping for breath. Sometimes the patient repels all efforts to calm him down. All the while the patient is actually asleep and it is almost impossible to awaken the patient to consciousness easily. Once the patient does arise he cannot recall the traumatic events, images or the visual sequences that disturbed his sleep. To this extent these Night Sleep Terrors are different from nightmares which can easily be recalled after sleep. However, since the signs of panic are etched in the psyche of the patient a medical specialist or near relatives can easily discern the symptoms. In some patients breathlessness and headaches linger on well after the sleep phase is over. Adequate rest almost always relieves patients. Vulnerable SamplesVery young children between the ages of two to twelve years are typically prone to experience Night Sleep Terrors. However, the most vulnerable population samples come from depressed or abused adults who have suffered extreme trauma or have been victimized repeatedly. Such patients who have either been victims of violence or tragic circumstances tend to get into cyclic and obsessive recollections of their unfortunate experiences even when they do not wish to remember them. Since they are susceptible to develop seizures and all its accompanied complications medical treatment and psychological intervention is necessary. In young children Night Sleep Terrors are benign and need just a little careful handling. Extreme tiredness, inadequate rest or high fever can lead to such symptoms. A good uninterrupted sleep, affection and treatment for the fever almost invariably reverse the symptoms of Night Sleep Terrors. Parental care and interaction plays a very important part in the response to this problem and more serious medical intervention is seldom warranted. A noise free and comfortable sleeping environment is, also essential for young children. Equally important is the necessity of fixed timings for children to go to bed. Fixed and adequate sleeping hours help to obviate such problems in children. Most children overcome the problems of Night Sleep Terrors once as they grow past their adolescent years.
Adults who suffer from Night Sleep Terrors are the more serious patients. Their symptoms need a more careful and detailed attention. Psychological counseling coupled with suppressive drug treatment is sometimes required. ConclusionNight Sleep Terrors are known to be a children’s problem. Parents tend to seek a Pediatrics help when a little care and adequate rest in a comfortable and stress free environment almost always reverses the symptoms and cures the malaise. Night Sleep Terrors in adults is more serious and specialist intervention is necessary.
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