Does your little one scream and get scared at night? This isn't about nightmares, let's talk about Night Terrors''!

Does your child suddenly wake up at night screaming, sweating, and terrified? No matter how hard you try to comfort them, can't calm them down? They fall back asleep after a while, but when they wake up in the morning, they don't remember anything that happened the night before? If this sounds familiar to you, your child may have a condition that is a little different from a nightmare, but it could be a little more serious. We call this ``Night Terrors''. The name may sound a little scary, but don't worry. This is usually not harmful to children, and it usually gets better as they get older.

So what are these ``Night Terrors''? What exactly is going on?

Simply put, ``Night Terrors`` are a state of extreme fear and anxiety that a child experiences during sleep. They are much more severe than nightmares. Imagine, your child suddenly sits up in bed, opens his eyes, and starts screaming. At that moment, he is almost unconscious. Even if you talk to him or try to comfort him, he does not understand. He may not even recognize you. This is one of the main characteristics of ``Night Terrors`` – although the child appears to be awake, he is actually somewhere between deep sleep and wakefulness.

This state can last for a few minutes, sometimes a little longer. Then the child falls back asleep. The strange thing is that when he wakes up the next morning, he doesn't remember anything that happened the night before. It's not like having a bad dream and forgetting it, this is completely lost from memory. As parents, it's normal for us to feel very scared and shocked when we see this. But remember, this does not cause physical harm to the child.

What are the symptoms that a child shows during ``Night Terrors''?

If your child has ``Night Terrors'', he may show symptoms like these:

• Suddenly, I sit up in bed.
• He is acting very nervous and scared.
• They shout loudly and wail.
• Breathing quickens, heart rate quickens, as if you've just run.
• You may be sweating a lot.
• Tossing and turning in bed, flailing his limbs.
• Sometimes you can even try to get out of bed and run.

It's no wonder that any mother or father would be scared when they see these things. But the most important thing is that you stay calm at this time. After a few minutes, maybe 10-15 minutes, the child will calm down again and fall asleep.

Why do children get ``Night Terrors''? What happens inside the brain?

Okay, now let's see why this happens. `(Night Terrors)` usually occur 2-3 hours after the child falls asleep. At this time, the child is in a `(Non-REM)` stage of sleep. `(REM)` stands for `(Rapid Eye Movement).` That is, the stage of sleep in which we dream, and where our eyes move rapidly. `(Non-REM)` is the stage of deep sleep that comes before that.

During this `(Non-REM)` sleep, the child suddenly wakes up partially. That is, he is neither fully awake nor completely asleep. At this time, the part of our brain that controls the `` Fight -or-Flight response`` is overstimulated. Imagine, if we suddenly see a large animal, our body trembles and our breathing quickens, right? That is the same response that occurs in the child's brain at this time. This is why the child feels extreme fear and anxiety.

Night terrors are most common in children under the age of 13. They can also be caused by certain things that disrupt sleep. For example:

• Conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea.
• Food coming up into the throat (Reflux).

Are there other causes of ``Night Terrors''?

Yes, several other factors can also be involved:

• Insufficient sleep: One of the main reasons is that the child does not get enough sleep.
• Illnesses: This can also happen during an illness like the flu.
• Certain medications: Certain medications the child takes can also have an effect.
• Sleeping in a new environment: If it's not where you usually sleep, that means when you go somewhere outside of the house.
• Stress or anxiety: If the child is under some kind of stress.
• Excessive caffeine intake: Chocolate and some drinks contain caffeine.

Also, sleep-related problems like ``Night Terrors`` and `` Sleepwalking`` can run in families genetically. Some children may only have one ``Night Terror``. Others may have several and then go away on their own by the time they reach adolescence.

"Remember, ``Night Terrors'' are not something the child does intentionally, nor are they something you do because of a flaw. This is a medically explainable condition."

How does a doctor diagnose this as ``Night Terrors''?

Doctors usually diagnose ``Night Terrors`` by asking you about the incident and examining your child. In most cases, no special medical tests are needed. The doctor can diagnose it by simply describing your child's behavior , when it happens, and how long it has been going on.

How can this be treated? What can we do as parents?

There are usually no specific medications for ``Night Terrors.`` Doctors teach parents what to do when their child has a ``Night Terror`` and how to help prevent them.

You may feel very helpless when you see this. You may think, "Oh, I can't even comfort my child when he's so scared and screaming." But the most important thing is not to panic. The child will be fine, and the next morning he won't even remember any of this.

What do you do if your child has a ``Night Terror''?

• Stay calm with your child: If you get nervous, your child may become even more afraid (even if they don't realize it).
• Reduce the risk of injury to your child: Be careful as your child may fall out of bed or hit something while running. Remove sharp objects.
• Wait patiently: the baby will fall back asleep in a few minutes.
• Most importantly: Don't try to wake your baby! This is a mistake that many parents make. If you try to wake your baby at this time, he or she may become more agitated and confused. This will make it take longer to fall back to sleep.

How can you help prevent ``Night Terrors''?

• Help reduce your child's stress: Talk to your child, ask them questions, play with them, and make them feel loved.
• Establish a simple, relaxing bedtime routine: Go to bed at the same time every day. Things like taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to a soothing song before bed are good.
• Make sure your child is getting enough sleep: Your child should get the appropriate number of hours of sleep for their age.
• Follow medical advice: If your child has conditions like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (breathing problems during sleep) or Reflux (food coming up into the throat), follow the doctor's instructions for treatment.

There is another method. If your child has a ``Night Terror'' at the same time every day (for example, about 2 hours after going to bed), wake him up 15-30 minutes before he is supposed to have one and then put him back to sleep. This is called "Scheduled Awakening". For some children, this can help stop the ``Night Terror'' from happening. However, it is best to talk to a doctor before doing this.

When should we see a doctor?

Most of the time, ``Night Terrors`` get better on their own as children get older. However, it is important to see a doctor in these cases:

• If ``(Night Terror)`` is longer than 30 minutes.
• If it happens more than once a week.
• This can cause the child to not get enough sleep.
• If the child seems excessively sad, scared, or stressed during the day.
• If your child shows signs of drooling, stiffening of the body, or twitching during a ``Night Terror'' (these could be signs of another condition).
• If your child snores in their sleep, has heartburn, or is constantly choking/gurgling.

Other important things we need to know

Having a proper understanding of ``Night Terrors'' will not only reduce your anxiety, but also help you sleep better. If you still have doubts or fears about this after doing all this, talk to your child's doctor and ask if you can see a ``Sleep Specialist'' or another specialist if necessary.

Remember, you are not alone. Many parents go through this experience. With the right knowledge and patience, you can cope with this situation. Your child will soon be able to get out of this situation!

Night terrors, childhood sleep problems, sleep screaming, nightmares, sleep disorders, parenting advice, child health