Sleep terrors
“Most nightmares are caged in their realm by implausibility. The sleeper slogs through quicksand in a fun house of frightening nonsense and disjointed mumbo jumbo. But everything’s all better once the bedside lamp is back on, because reality, even when it’s bad, is easily distinguished from night terror. Except for the trying-to-scream dream. That one’s pretty much spot-on.”
― Jamie Mason
What do you mean by sleep terrors?
Sleep terrors are the state of intense fear, episodes of screaming and flailing while sleeping. Sleep terrors is the state which is bound with sleepwalking and it is considered as para-mania which is undesired occurrences during sleep time. This disorder is mostly found in children more than adults. Just imagine being in the state of fear during the entire night, do you think your body will be able to rest and achieve optimal sleep benefits? Of course not! Having no sleep or low quality sleep is bad for health.
Common Symptoms
One of the biggest problems with this order is that people don’t identify it as a disorder in the very start of the onset. Especially when it is happening to children the parents do not consider it to be a psychological health concern. Following are the most common symptoms of sleep terrors which we discussed here:
- Starts with a screaming and shouting
- Sit up and appear frightened
- Stare wide-eyed
- Kick and thrash
- Sweating
- Redness on face
- Changes in breathing
- Hard to be awaken
- Forget all this behavior in the morning
- Hurt others and themselves
- Stressful life
- Discomfort
Common Causes
There can be other psychological and physical health problems that can be the root under the sleep terrors. Following are the most common causes of sleep terrors:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Pain and discomfort
- Use of alcohol and tobacco
- Smoking
- Sleep apnea
- Restless leg syndrome
- Mood disorders
- Some medications
- Fever
- Sleep deprivation
Possible Complications
The problem with some disorders like sleep terrors are that they can be because of certain other health problems and they can also breed other health problems. Following are the most common complication that you may face if you have sleep terrors:
- Lifestyle is disturbing
- Personal relationships disturb due to this behavior
- Financial problems
- Depression due to this behavior
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Mental and physical health problems
- Embarrassment due to this behavior
- Hurts yourself and other too
Diagnosis
Following are the methodologies and techniques used by the doctors or psychiatrists:
- Physical examination
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Asking about the symptoms you have experience
- Medical interview
- Behavioral therapy
- Polysomnography
How doctor treat sleep terror?
Doctors can treat this type of psychological problems by methods and techniques which we have discussed here:
- Medical treatment
Doctors will prescribe you an appropriate medication to overcome the symptoms and the disease.
- Behavioural treatment
Doctors can also do your behavioral treatment and treat you by the help of cogitative behavioral therapy