User:Mkhunt/sandbox

I found an article on Medline Plus, a government website, on night terrors. According to this article night terrors is also known as Pavor nocturnus and Sleep terror disordera, is a sleeping disorder. It usually causes a person to hastily come to a conscious state with intense fear. It is common to occur during the first third of the night. There is no known cause, but there are things that can provoke a night terror such as fever, lack of sleep, or periods of emotional tension, stress, or conflict. It is more common to have a night terror in the early morning between midnight and 2 a.m. A night terror can occur after may occur after a person has visualized a horrifying event or movie that would unnerve them. someone watches frightening movies/TV shows or has an emotional experience. An adult may remember the details of a dream upon awakening and will not be disoriented after the episode. A child is typically unable to explain the event the next morning. There is often no reminiscence of the night terror occurrence when they awaken.

Statistics show that night terrors are most common in boys ages 5 - 7. They can occur in girls but is more rare. They are somewhat common in children ages 3 - 7. Night terrors are infrequent after that. There may be a genetic link to night terrors. It is possible that it can occur in adults. It is more common to occur in adults that have been through emotional stress and or the use of alcohol. Some symptoms of a child with night terrors are screaming, confusion and being in a state of fear. They thrash around violently and are often not aware of their surroundings. A person may not be able to talk to, comfort, or fully awaken a child who is having a night terror. Some physiological symptoms of the night terror include perspiration, hyperventilation, tachycardia, and dilated pupils. This episode may last 10 - 20 minutes, then normal sleep returns. Sleep walking is also associated with night terrors.

The main treatment for night terrors includes comfort and reassurance. Unless the night terrors cause insomnia, which is rare, or they are severe or prolonged no further evaluation from a doctor is necessary. Psychotherapy or counseling may be utilized in severe cases. The most appropriate treatment is prevention. This is accomplished by minimizing stress and or using coping methods.