Q: Whom should we consult if our child has recurrent episodes of Sleep Terrors or Nightmares?
A: You can consult a pediatrician who may refer to a sleep specialist if the need arises.
Q: How is a Night Terror different from a Nightmare?
A: Night terror and nightmares are not one and the same. Occurring during the dream state of REM sleep, nightmares are scary dreams of the worst order causing the victim to completely lose sleep. Further, the victim has a complete memory of the episode.
Night terrors, on the contrary typically strike in the deep Non REM sleep phase, generally within an hour or two of going to sleep. The victim does not awaken during the event which may stretch anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. Further, the child will not be able to recall the event in the waking hours.
Q: Can I Help My Child During a Night Terror?
A: Although parents may imagine the worst after an event, it may be reassuring to know that night terrors are not really a cause for concern. Safeguards during the event such as protecting the child from injury are important when the child is experiencing a night terror event. It is certainly not advisable to shout or shake the child in an effort to wake up the child.
Q: Can Night Terrors Be Prevented?
A: Night terrors have a genetic predisposition especially if even one of the parents experienced it in childhood. Night terrors strike even if the child is tired or psychologically upset. Parents in such cases must try to alleviate stressful conditions for the child which can cut the potential risk of night terrors.
Q: Is it true that what is spoken while sleep talking reflects our thought process?
A: Despite the theories of the various psychoanalysts and dream interpreters over the decades there's still little evidence that what we dream about, or talk about in our sleep, in any significant way reflects what is going on in our conscious mind. We tend to search too hard for the meaning of dreams but it#$#s a mistake to take too literally what a sleep talker says.
