Night terrors are not the same as nightmares and the treatment is different as well.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
- Don't hug or shake your child. Waking the child will only frighten him or her more.
- Stay close to your child until he or she falls into a normal sleep again.
- Turn on the lights and talk softly to soothe and assure the child that he or she is safe.
- Watch to make sure your child doesn't do anything to harm him or herself, like falling out of bed.
- Night terrors sometimes lead to sleep walking. If this occurs, guide your child gently back to bed without waking him or her.
- Keep the room safe in case of sleepwalking. Avoid upper bunks and keep the floor free of dangerous obstructions.
- Warn baby-sitters or other family members and let them know how to deal with night terrors.
- Keep your child on a regular schedule of meal times, bed times and rising times.
- Make sure the child goes to the bathroom before going to bed. Night terrors can sometimes cause bedwetting.
- Check for fever or illness that may be causing the night terrors.
- Night terrors often occur about the same time every night. Set the alarm and wake your child before the terror begins.
- If the night terrors happen often or are particularly disturbing to you or your child, discuss the problem with your doctor.
- Ask your doctor if he can prescribe any medication that might help.
- If you believe the episodes may be caused by emotional problems or post-traumatic stress, talk it over with a psychiatrist or counselor.
Tips:
- Remember that most night terrors end before puberty.
- A happy, relaxed home will help chase away the night terrors.
- Remember that your child will probably not remember the night terror episode in the morning.
