It’s late at night. Your child suddenly sits up in bed, screaming, wide-eyed, and terrified. You rush in, but they seem to look right through you. They may thrash, sweat, or even run around, but no amount of consoling works. By morning, they have no memory of the incident.
What many parents witness in such moments is often asleep terror, also called anight terror. Unlike nightmares, which occur during REM sleep and are remembered, sleep terrors happen during deep non-REM sleep (Stage N3) and are usually harmless. They most commonly affect children aged three to twelve.
Sleep terrors are a type of parasomnia — unusual behaviours during sleep. During an episode, a child may:
Sit up or scream abruptly (sudden arousal)
Show physical signs such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, or dilated pupils
Be unresponsive to parents or soothing attempts
Have no memory of the episode the next day
Doctors, including Dr Sudhir Kumar, emphasise that children are not in pain and these episodes are not signs of emotional trauma or psychological issues. Most children naturally outgrow sleep terrors with age.
The key rule:do not wake the child, as this can increase agitation. Instead:
Stay calm:Remember the child is not in danger.
Ensure safety:Gently guide them back to bed and remove any hazards.
Prioritise sleep:Over-tiredness is a major trigger; maintain a consistent bedtime and sleep routine.
For children who have sleep terrors at predictable times, Dr Kumar recommendsscheduled awakening. This involves gently waking the child 15–30 minutes before the usual episode for a few nights, helping reset the sleep cycle. This works best alongside healthy sleep habits and is generally temporary.
Medical consultation is advised if:
Episodes are frequent, violent, or disrupt daily life
The child has other sleep issues such as insomnia or sleepwalking
Daytime functioning is affected
With awareness, calm responses, and consistent routines, parents can protect their child and reduce anxiety. Sleep terrors are common, startling but typically harmless, and children usually outgrow them naturally.
