A child suddenly sitting upright in bed, screaming, crying, or looking terrified can be extremely upsetting for a parent. If the child seems awake but does not recognize you or cannot be comforted, you may wonder what is happening.

These episodes may be night terrors, a type of sleep-related event that is different from an ordinary nightmare.

Knowing the night terrors in children symptoms can help parents recognize what is happening and respond appropriately. During a night terror, a child may appear frightened, scream, sweat, breathe rapidly, or move around while still being partly asleep. The child often does not remember the event the next morning.

Night terrors can look dramatic, but they are usually harmless and many children eventually outgrow them.

What Are Night Terrors?

Night terrors, also called sleep terrors, are episodes of intense fear or agitation that occur during sleep.

They usually happen during non-REM sleep, often relatively early in the night.

Unlike a nightmare, a child experiencing a night terror may not be fully awake. Their eyes may be open, but they may not recognize their parents or respond normally.

The episode may end suddenly, with the child returning to sleep.

Night Terrors in Children Symptoms

Common night terrors in children symptoms include:

• Suddenly sitting or standing up in bed
• Screaming or crying loudly
• Looking frightened or confused
• Wide-open eyes
• Rapid breathing
• Sweating
• Fast heartbeat
• Staring into the distance
• Thrashing or moving around
• Pushing away a parent
• Being difficult to comfort
• Not responding normally to questions
• Returning to sleep afterward
• Having little or no memory of the episode

Not every child experiences all of these symptoms.

The combination of sudden intense fear, limited responsiveness, and little memory the next morning is particularly characteristic.

What Does a Night Terror Look Like?

A typical episode may begin suddenly.

A child who was sleeping peacefully may suddenly sit upright and scream. They may look terrified and appear to stare directly at a parent without actually recognizing them.

The parent may try to pick them up or ask what is wrong, but the child may push them away or continue crying.

After several minutes, the episode usually settles.

The child may then lie back down and continue sleeping.

By morning, they may have no memory of what happened.

Are Night Terrors the Same as Nightmares?

No.

Although both can frighten children, they happen differently.

Night Terrors

Night terrors generally:

• Occur earlier in the night
• Happen during non-REM sleep
• Involve intense fear or agitation
• Make the child difficult to awaken or comfort
• Usually cause little or no memory afterward

Nightmares

Nightmares generally:

• Occur during REM sleep
• Can happen later in the night
• Cause the child to wake fully
• Allow the child to recognize parents
• Can be remembered the next morning

A child who wakes up frightened and says, “I had a bad dream,” is more likely experiencing a nightmare than a night terror.

At What Age Do Night Terrors Start?

Night terrors can occur in childhood, particularly during the preschool and early school-age years.

They are less common in adults.

Children’s sleep patterns change as they grow, so an episode during one developmental stage does not necessarily mean the problem will continue.

Many children eventually stop having night terrors as their sleep patterns mature.

How Long Do Night Terrors Last?

Night terrors can last for several minutes, although the exact duration varies.

Some episodes are brief, while others may seem longer to parents because the child’s distress can be intense.

After the episode ends, the child usually settles back into sleep.

If episodes consistently last a very long time or involve unusual movements, parents should discuss them with a healthcare professional.

Do Children Remember Night Terrors?

Usually, children do not remember night terrors the next morning.

This is one of the features that distinguishes them from nightmares.

Parents may remember the episode vividly, while the child may wake up the next day completely unaware that anything happened.

Why Do Children Have Night Terrors?

The exact reason some children experience night terrors is not always clear.

Possible contributing factors include:

• Not getting enough sleep
• Irregular sleep schedules
• Stress
• Illness
• Fever
• Changes in routine
• Sleeping in an unfamiliar environment
• Certain medications
• A family tendency toward parasomnias

In some children, episodes may occur without an obvious trigger.

Can Sleep Deprivation Trigger Night Terrors?

Yes.

Being overtired can increase the likelihood of some parasomnias, including night terrors.

A child who has been sleeping less than usual may have more disrupted sleep.

Parents can learn more about signs of sleep deprivation in children if they notice daytime tiredness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, or changes in behavior alongside nighttime episodes.

Can Stress Cause Night Terrors?

Stress and emotional changes may contribute to sleep disturbances in some children.

Possible triggers include:

• Starting school
• Moving home
• Family changes
• Travel
• A new sibling
• Fear or anxiety
• Major changes in routine

This does not mean that every night terror is caused by emotional stress.

Sometimes episodes happen even when a child appears happy and relaxed.

Can Fever Cause Night Terrors?

Illness and fever can disrupt normal sleep patterns.

Some children may experience more unusual sleep behaviors when they are sick or overtired.

If your child has a fever alongside concerning symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe lethargy, confusion while fully awake, or a seizure, seek medical attention rather than assuming the behavior is a night terror.

What Should Parents Do During a Night Terror?

The most important thing is to stay calm.

During an episode:

1. Stay nearby.
2. Make sure your child is physically safe.
3. Avoid trying to force them awake.
4. Keep your voice calm and quiet.
5. Remove nearby objects that could cause injury.
6. Gently guide them away from stairs or dangerous areas if necessary.
7. Wait for the episode to pass.

A child may not respond to comforting in the same way they would when fully awake.

Should You Wake a Child During a Night Terror?

Usually, there is no need to fully wake the child.

Trying to wake them can sometimes make the episode more confusing or prolong the agitation.

Instead, focus on safety and allow the episode to pass naturally.

If the child is at risk of falling, leaving the room, or hurting themselves, gently intervene to keep them safe.

Should You Hug a Child During a Night Terror?

Not necessarily.

Some children may accept physical comfort, while others may push a parent away.

Because the child is not fully awake, forcing physical contact can increase agitation.

Stay close and offer calm reassurance without insisting on a hug.

How Can Parents Prevent Night Terrors?

You may not be able to prevent every episode, but healthy sleep habits can help reduce possible triggers.

Try to:

• Keep bedtime consistent
• Avoid significant sleep deprivation
• Maintain a calming evening routine
• Allow enough time for sleep
• Reduce major disruptions to the child’s schedule
• Keep the bedroom safe

A predictable routine can be particularly helpful when episodes occur after periods of irregular sleep.

Keep a Sleep Diary

If night terrors happen repeatedly, a sleep diary can help identify patterns.

Record:

• Bedtime
• Wake-up time
• Nap times
• Approximate time of the episode
• Illness or fever
• Major changes that day
• Stressful events
• Whether the child seemed overtired

You may discover that episodes occur at roughly the same time each night.

What Is Scheduled Awakening?

If night terrors happen at a predictable time, a healthcare professional may sometimes recommend scheduled awakening.

This involves gently waking the child shortly before the usual time of the episode and then allowing them to return to sleep.

It should not be used automatically for every child. Discuss this strategy with a healthcare professional if night terrors are frequent.

Can Night Terrors Be Caused by Sleep Apnea?

Some sleep disorders can disrupt normal sleep and may contribute to unusual nighttime behaviors.

Obstructive sleep apnea is particularly important to recognize because it can affect children’s sleep quality.

Signs may include:

• Loud regular snoring
• Pauses in breathing
• Gasping
• Choking sounds
• Restless sleep
• Mouth breathing
• Excessive daytime tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating

Parents can read more about child snoring causes and treatment when nighttime episodes occur alongside persistent snoring or breathing difficulties.

Night Terrors vs Sleepwalking

Night terrors and sleepwalking are both considered parasomnias.

A child experiencing sleepwalking may:

• Sit up
• Walk around
• Talk
• Perform simple actions
• Appear confused

Night terrors are more strongly associated with sudden fear, screaming, autonomic symptoms such as sweating and rapid breathing, and intense agitation.

A child can experience more than one type of parasomnia.

Can Night Terrors Be Related to Anxiety?

Night terrors are not the same as anxiety disorders.

However, stress and anxiety may sometimes disrupt sleep and contribute to more difficult nights.

If your child also experiences persistent daytime anxiety, excessive fears, school avoidance, or significant emotional distress, discuss these symptoms with a pediatric healthcare professional.

Can Screen Time Cause Night Terrors?

There is no simple evidence that screen use directly causes night terrors.

However, stimulating activities close to bedtime can make it harder for some children to settle into sleep.

A calmer evening routine may therefore be helpful.

Try replacing stimulating screen activities with:

• Reading
• Drawing
• Quiet games
• Gentle conversation
• A warm bath
• Calm music

Do Night Terrors Mean Something Is Wrong With My Child?

Usually, no.

Night terrors can be alarming to watch, but many childhood episodes are harmless and temporary.

The child may appear extremely frightened even though they are not consciously experiencing the event in the same way they would experience a nightmare.

The important factors are frequency, safety, daytime effects, and whether other symptoms are present.

When Should Parents Talk to a Doctor?

Speak with your child’s pediatrician if:

• Episodes happen very frequently
• They are becoming more severe
• Your child is getting injured
• The episodes significantly disrupt family sleep
• Your child is unusually sleepy during the day
• Episodes occur alongside loud snoring
• You notice pauses in breathing
• There are unusual repetitive movements
• The episodes begin suddenly in an older child
• You are unsure whether the events are night terrors or seizures

A healthcare professional can review the child’s sleep history and determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.

Could Night Terrors Be Seizures?

Some nighttime seizures can look unusual and may occasionally be confused with parasomnias.

Seek medical advice if nighttime episodes involve:

• Repeated identical movements
• Stiffening or jerking
• Loss of bladder control
• Unusual movements of the face
• Episodes occurring many times in a short period
• Injuries
• Unusual behavior while fully awake afterward

A doctor may recommend further assessment if the pattern is concerning.

Do Children Need Treatment for Night Terrors?

Most children do not need specific medical treatment.

Management usually focuses on:

• Adequate sleep
• Regular routines
• Reducing potential triggers
• Keeping the child safe
• Treating underlying sleep problems when present

Persistent or severe cases may require specialist evaluation.

Night Terrors and Children’s Overall Sleep

Night terrors are just one type of childhood sleep disturbance.

Other issues, such as bedtime resistance, nightmares, sleepwalking, snoring, and frequent waking, can have different causes and solutions.

Parents looking at their child’s overall sleep routine can read our guide to children’s sleep problems and solutions for broader information.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the night terrors in children symptoms can make these frightening nighttime episodes easier for parents to understand.

A child experiencing a night terror may scream, sit up, sweat, breathe rapidly, stare blankly, or move around while remaining partly asleep. They may not recognize their parents and usually have little or no memory of the event the following morning.

Night terrors are different from nightmares. They generally occur during non-REM sleep and often happen earlier in the night. Most children eventually outgrow them.

Parents should focus on safety rather than trying to force the child awake. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule and making sure the child gets enough sleep may also reduce episodes.

If night terrors are frequent, dangerous, associated with breathing problems, or difficult to distinguish from another nighttime condition, speak with a pediatric healthcare professional.

Good sleep habits can support overall development and may reduce some common sleep difficulties. Parents can also explore signs of sleep deprivation in children and children’s sleep problems and solutions for related guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of night terrors in children?

Common symptoms include sudden screaming, crying, sitting up in bed, wide-open eyes, sweating, rapid breathing, a fast heartbeat, confusion, and difficulty responding to parents.

Do children remember night terrors?

Most children do not remember night terrors the next morning. This is one of the main differences between night terrors and nightmares.

What is the difference between a night terror and a nightmare?

During a nightmare, a child usually wakes and can remember the frightening dream. During a night terror, the child may remain partly asleep, appear terrified, be difficult to comfort, and have little memory afterward.

Should I wake my child during a night terror?

Usually, there is no need to wake the child. Stay nearby, keep them safe, and allow the episode to pass unless there is a safety concern.

What causes night terrors in children?

Possible triggers include sleep deprivation, irregular sleep schedules, illness, fever, stress, changes in routine, and a family tendency toward parasomnias.

Can lack of sleep cause night terrors?

Being overtired may increase the likelihood of night terrors in some children. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and ensuring adequate sleep may help.

When should I worry about my child’s night terrors?

Talk with a healthcare professional if episodes are frequent, cause injuries, significantly disrupt sleep, occur alongside breathing problems, or involve movements that could suggest another condition.

Do children outgrow night terrors?

Many children experience fewer episodes as they grow and their sleep patterns mature. Persistent or severe episodes should still be discussed with a healthcare professional.

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