Every child has nightmares, which are usually solved with a quick kiss from mum and the night light being left on. But for five percent of children, who suffer from night terrors, these quick fixes just won't work.
A night terror is described as being much more intense than a normal nightmare and can happen to preschool- or primary school-aged children once they have been in a deep sleep for one to two hours.
Principal child psychologist at the Quirky Kid Clinic, Kimberley O'Brien, says night terrors affect children aged two years and older and are very different to a nightmare.
What's the difference?
So how can parents tell the difference between a simple nightmare and a night terror? Kimberley says that night terrors and nightmares and different for two main reasons.
"Firstly, they typically occur at different times during the sleep cycle," Kimberley says.
"For example, night terrors occur in the early part of the night when the child is in a deep sleep phase, while nightmares occur when children are in a lighter REM cycle in the early hours of the morning," she says.
"And secondly, night terrors are more intense as children can appear as though they are awake with their eyes open and the child often becomes more hysterical if parents attempt to intervene."
It is more than likely that a child will not remember a night terror in the morning.
While having a night terror a child may get up and move around the house, so if your child suffers from night terrors it's important to keep the area surrounding their bed as well as the house safe.
While in this state the child may also scream or cry, sweat heavily, breathe heavily, open their eyes and move around in a distressed way.
So what causes night terrors?
Kimberley says there is no underlying medical condition associated with nightmares or night terrors. However, a child's dreams may relate to their anxiety in their everyday life.
"When children recall the content of their dreams or nightmares, there is often a link with the child's real-life anxieties or actual fears," Kimberley says.
"These may relate to social situations at school, changes in routine, computer game content or family stressors."
Night terrors may occur due to physical exhaustion, high fever, worrying about something, lack of sleep or if there is a family history of the condition.
Should I wake my child?
Waking a child during a night terror can do more harm than good and may in fact prolong the night terror.
Kimberley's advice is to try to remain calm and refrain from shaking or startling a child during a night terror as this typically results in further distress such as increased screaming or physical fear responses.
"Parents who observe night terrors have often tried every option to ease the situation, as they often experience what is known as vicarious trauma whereby a person becomes emotionally distressed after witnessing another in a state of fear and hysteria," Kimberley says.
"I recommend parents enlist support from other family members and friends during a phase of night terrors to ensure they are sharing the load and getting enough sleep to reassure themselves and their child that night terrors are normal and they will pass," she says.
"If parents fail to monitor their own stress levels or if they cause the child to react negatively during a night terror, they may inadvertently increase stress within the family. Parents should be particularly mindful of remaining calm for the sake of other siblings."
Will my child grow out of night terrors?
The key for parents to maintaining a child's night terrors is patience. Kimberley says that night terrors will typically improve as children mature and are more able to express their feelings and emotions.
Night terrors are less common in school-age children and rare among adolescents.
While a child is suffering from night terrors constant reassurance that they are in a safe environment is important along with ensuring the child has a regular sleep pattern.
Should I seek professional help?
Although night terrors affect 5 percent of children aged two and over, professional help may be needed if a child is waking up more than twice a night over a period of two weeks. Parents should seek professional help from their GP and ask for a referral to a child psychologist.
In Australia, Medicare rebates of $70 an hour or more are available for children or adults to see a psychologist for a maximum of 12 sessions per year.
Kimberley says in her experience often six sessions are required to resolve night terrors.
"The child is given relaxation strategies which are practiced on a daily basis and children have the opportunity to express their anxieties using play or art therapy with a child psychologist," Kimberley says.
For more information on night terrors,
www.childpsychologist.com.au
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