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What is Pavor Nocturnus?

Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen

Pavor nocturnus, which is also known by the name 'night terror,' is a sleep disorder that typically occurs during slow-wave sleep (SWS). Those who suffer from pavor nocturnus will sometimes awaken very quickly from SWS, but fail to wake up all the way. In this in-between state, they often moan, thrash around, or scream uncontrollably, as if experiencing a terrible nightmare. They then tend to fall back into a state of SWS, without ever becoming conscious. It is thought that pavor nocturnus may be brought on by stress, hypoglycemia, or other factors, but the condition is not fully understood.

Adults rarely remember night terrors after waking up, so it is usually a friend, spouse, or other family member who actually witnesses the episodes. Since it is usually impossible to wake someone out of a night terror, this can be a stressful situation for the witness. Though the causes of pavor nocturnus are not fully understood, there may be a few steps that can be taken to reduce the frequency of episodes.

About 3% of adults suffer from periodic pavor nocturnus, or night terrors.
About 3% of adults suffer from periodic pavor nocturnus, or night terrors.

Night terrors may be related to stress and hypoglycemia, so reducing stress and making sure to adhere to a correct diet can help to reduce episodes. Being overtired can also bring on episodes in some people, so sticking to a regular sleep schedule may help. Since pavor nocturnus generally occurs during SWS, which a person usually enters at around the same time in each sleep cycle, waking the sufferer shortly before the attacks normally occur can be a short-term solution. Anti-depressant medications and psychotherapy have also been helpful to some individuals.

Adults rarely remember night terrors after waking up.
Adults rarely remember night terrors after waking up.

About 3% of adults suffer from periodic night terrors, though children are seemingly more susceptible to the condition, with those between the ages of two and eight being about three times more likely to exhibit symptoms. The condition may present slightly different symptoms in children. Whereas adults usually do not remember pavor nocturnus episodes, children are more likely to recall some portion of the events. They may also seem to hallucinate in the state, and tend to not recognize family members or friends that are present, even if they seem conscious and aware.

Night terrors in children usually resolve themselves on their own.
Night terrors in children usually resolve themselves on their own.

Children may experience recurring night terrors for a short period of time, after which they sometimes disappear with no explanation. They may recur at a later date, or may never occur again, accounting for the lower percentage of adults that experience the condition. Night terrors may also possibly be brought on by a high fever in children, or extreme exhaustion.

Discussion Comments

anon170690

We have a daughter (age four) who wakes up several times every week crying. She often screams, cries or moans. She does not seem to want us around and she often throws her pillow or duvet away or hits us if we try to comfort her. She is not fully awake because she does not seem to recognize us.

Every morning after she is completely normal and every day she is a happy girl but she's been like this since she was a year old. Sometimes it happens several times a night and sometimes it's only three to five times a week.

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    • About 3% of adults suffer from periodic pavor nocturnus, or night terrors.
      By: yalayama
      About 3% of adults suffer from periodic pavor nocturnus, or night terrors.
    • Adults rarely remember night terrors after waking up.
      By: rodjulian
      Adults rarely remember night terrors after waking up.
    • Night terrors in children usually resolve themselves on their own.
      By: Robert Hoetink
      Night terrors in children usually resolve themselves on their own.
    • Pavor nocturnus may be brought on by hypoglycemia.
      By: zothen
      Pavor nocturnus may be brought on by hypoglycemia.
    • Night terrors sometimes include hallucinations.
      By: djtaylor
      Night terrors sometimes include hallucinations.
    • People experiencing pavor nocturnus may scream uncontrollably.
      By: Pavel Lysenko
      People experiencing pavor nocturnus may scream uncontrollably.