She screams at midnight and has no memory by morning. Hyderabad neurologist explains a common but terrifying sleep condition in kids

Recurring nighttime terrors can be one of the most frightening experiences for parents, especially when a child wakes up in full panic, screaming, and seems to see through you. Such episodes aren’t just nightmares—they’re a common sleep disorder called sleep terrors, and they can leave parents feeling helpless. Hyderabad neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar weighed in after reports about an Indonesian girl, Pinar, who has been experiencing the same terrifying scenario every night since childhood, with no memory of it by morning.

Spotting sleep terror

Sleep terrors, or night terrors, typically occur in deep non-REM sleep among children aged 3 to 12. Unlike ordinary bad dreams, children experiencing sleep terrors suddenly sit up, scream, and appear terrified, often with rapid heartbeat, sweating, and dilated pupils. During these episodes, they usually do not respond to parents and may seem unaware of their surroundings, leaving families worried and confused. Most children have no recollection of the event the next morning.

What should parents do?

Parents should avoid waking the child, as this can increase agitation and prolong the episode. Staying calm is essential, as the child is not in physical pain, advises Dr Sudhir Kumar. Ensuring a safe environment by clearing sharp objects or toys and gently guiding the child back to bed can prevent injuries. Maintaining a consistent bedtime is crucial, as overtiredness is the primary trigger for sleep terrors.

What helps?

A practical approach called the "scheduled awakening" can help. If a child has terrors at roughly the same time nightly, waking them 15–30 minutes before the expected episode for a few nights can reset their sleep cycle and often prevent further episodes. While most children naturally outgrow sleep terrors, persistent or violent cases should be assessed by a specialist to rule out underlying issues and provide tailored guidance.

By understanding these patterns and strategies, parents can navigate sleep terrors with patience, safety, and reassurance, helping children sleep more peacefully while reducing nighttime anxiety for the whole family.

More about sleep terrors

According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep terrors—also called night terrors—are episodes of intense fear, screaming, or crying that occur while a person is not fully awake. They can involve flailing arms or legs and sometimes lead to sleepwalking. Classified as a parasomnia, these disturbing sleep behaviours usually last from a few seconds to several minutes and most often occur in children aged 1 to 12, though they are rare in adults.

Unlike nightmares, children experiencing sleep terrors typically remain asleep and remember little or nothing the next morning. Episodes often happen in the first part of the night, with signs including wide-eyed staring, heavy breathing, rapid pulse, sweating, thrashing, and difficulty waking or soothing the child.