This Halloween, a horror movie marathon might not be your only thing keep you awake. Nightmares may be part of the human experience, at least sometimes, but have you ever wondered if you’re experiencing night terrors? Waking up at night drenched in sweat, heart palpitations and a mind convinced of danger is an all too familiar experience for many. So how many of us know the difference between night terrors and nightmares?

Nightmares are dreams that occur while you are completely asleep. Nightmares usually occur during REM sleep, rarely involve serious movements, and can often be recalled, at least in part, after waking. Night terrors are different in many ways.

What is night terror?

night terrorSleep terrors, also called sleep terrors, are a type of sleep disorder that affects approximately 2% of adults and 6% of children. But in this guide, we will focus primarily on how night terrors affect adults. Sleep terrors are categorized by terror attacks that occur during non-rapid eye movement sleep and may include screaming, thrashing, crying, and other movements and outbursts. Unlike nightmares, night terrors are rarely remembered after they are over. Symptoms of night terrors may include:

• crying
• dilated pupils
• rapid breathing
• fast heart rate
• Scream
• Sweating
• being beaten

What causes night terrors in adults?

There is no clear consensus yet on causes of night terrors in adults. Some believe there may be a genetic predisposition, and research shows an association between night terrors and fever, illness, excessive physical activity, high caffeine or alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, fatigue, and emotional distress. Others believe that night terrors occur strongly in adults. linked to stress disordersLike post-traumatic stress disorder.

Are night terrors caused by anxiety?

Researchers have known this for a long time sleep difficulties It is relatively common in those with anxiety disorders. In fact, insomnia and nightmares are even included in the definitions of some anxiety disorders such as PTSD. Successful treatment of anxiety in many of these disorders has resulted in better sleep. Generally, night terror It appears to be more common when the central nervous system is overactive during sleep. Both anxiety and stress can cause this increased activity during sleep. If you’ve ever lived anxiety dreamsYou may have an idea what it’s like.

Even those who haven’t experienced sleep terrors may know how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep. When I go to bed anxious. When the mind is focused on the feeling of danger, threat, or insecurity, it can be difficult for the body to respond to anything else. In some cases, people may partially wake up while their body is experiencing strong symptoms of stress, and they may experience night terrors.

Trauma can lead to a combination of anxiety and pressure, which can lead to higher rates of nightmares and sleep terrors in people. The things we avoid and repress during the day can somehow be released while we sleep. This may depend on how active you are amygdala The part of the brain that involves emotions is often revealed during dreams. But while this helps explain the causes of nightmares, nightmares occur during REM sleep (when dreams occur). link to night terrors Night terrors can be milder because they usually occur before the brain enters the dreaming state.

Treatments for night terrors in adults

Although there is no single known cause of night terrors in adults, there are a variety of treatments that medical professionals are investigating. Depending on the patient and circumstances, some treatments may work better than others. When dealing with medical issues, always consult your doctor or other medical professional before making treatment decisions.

drug therapy

medicines It’s not usually the treatment of choice for night terrors, but in extreme cases doctors may prescribe benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Night terrors are thought to be related to stress, anxiety or a similar disorder cognitive behavioral therapy It can be recommended to help solve these basic problems. CBT can help some individuals reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety by working to retrain their mind’s perspectives and reactions.

Hypnosis

Although still considered controversial by many, studies revealed strong evidence that hypnosis can be used to successfully reduce sleep terror symptoms in some individuals.

biofeedback therapy

Biofeedback therapy, also known as neurofeedback, is a non-invasive approach that monitors the brain during sleep to look for abnormal brain activity. This information is then used to help patients and doctors identify areas of the brain that can be brought closer to their natural state to facilitate healthier sleep.

relaxation therapy

relaxation therapy It uses known techniques to encourage the mind and body to become more relaxed. These techniques can range from breathing exercises to biofeedback-assisted relaxation. Stress reduction practices such as yoga, meditation, and massage therapy are often considered relaxation therapy techniques.

Anticipatory awakening

arouse expectation It’s a technique that involves learning the patterns of your sleep terrors and stopping them before they start. The first step is to create a chart to determine when your night terrors are most likely to occur. Then, using this information, you arrange to wake up about 15 minutes before the night terror begins and stay awake for a short time (sometimes just a few minutes) before returning to sleep. This approach is based on night terrors occurring at specific times.

In conclusion

Whatever the cause, night terrors can significantly disrupt a person’s sleep and quality of life. Although it is associated with illness, chemicals, fatigue and stress, there is no single known cause of this parasomnia disorder. If you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing night terrors, talk to your doctor to make a diagnosis and treatment plan.