DSM-5 Criteria
What type of arousal marks the beginning of a sleep terror episode?
What is a scream? or What is an abrupt arousal from sleep, usually with a panicky scream.
Which sleep disorder involves vivid recall of frightening dreams, unlike night terrors?
What is nightmare disorder
A 7-year-old wakes up screaming but calms quickly and remembers a scary dream. Night terror or nightmare?
What is a Nightmare (because of dream recall and responsiveness).
What is the most common natural course of night terrors in children?
What is they usually remit with age, especially by adolescence.
What is the prevalence of night terrors in children?
What is 1% -6.5%
Name one autonomic sign that often accompanies night terrors.
What is tachycardia, rapid breathing, sweating, dilated pupils?
Which parasomnia shares the same category as sleep terrors in DSM-5?
What is Sleepwalking (both are Non-REM Sleep Arousal Disorders)
A child has occasional episodes of sitting up in bed crying, but it doesn’t impair functioning. Diagnosis?
What is Not Night Terror Disorder (no significant distress/impairment).
What is the first-line management approach for most children with night terrors?
What is Reassurance and ensuring safety (lock doors, secure environment).
True or False — Night terrors are more common in adults than in children.
What is False? Prevalence of night terror in adults are less than 1%
True or False — individuals typically recall detailed dreams after a night terror episode
What is False?
(there is typically no detailed dream recall and amnesia for the episode)
Which neurological condition can mimic night terror episodes and must be ruled out?
What is nocturnal seizures (epilepsy)?
An adult has repeated episodes with intense fear, autonomic arousal, and no memory. Meets criteria?
What is Yes — DSM-5 Sleep Terror type.
Name one lifestyle factor that may help reduce night terrors
What is Reducing sleep deprivation or stress.
At what ages do night terrors most commonly peak?
What is Between 4 and 12 years old.
What is one key feature that differentiates night terrors from nightmares regarding responsiveness?
What is unresponsive to comforting efforts.
During night terrors, the person is relatively unresponsive to comforting efforts.
What disorder involves complex motor behaviors during REM sleep, unlike night terrors
What is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.
A teenager reports frightening dreams with recall of images. What differential is most likely?
What is Nightmare Disorder.
True or False: Medications are usually required for treatment of night terrors.
What is False — rarely needed, reserved for severe cases.
Name two risk factors that can trigger night terror episodes.
what is Sleep deprivation, stress, fever, medications, or family history.
According to DSM-5, what 3 conditions must be ruled out before diagnosing night terrors?
What is Substance effects, medical conditions, and other mental disorders.
Night terrors can be mistaken for which trauma-related disorder due to intense fear during sleep?
What is PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
A child with high fever has 2 episodes of screaming at night. Should this be diagnosed as night terror disorder?
What is No — because fever is a medical factor that explains the episodes.
In what situations might medication (like benzodiazepines or antidepressants) be considered?
What are Severe, frequent, or impairing episodes that don’t respond to behavioral strategies.
Which comorbid conditions are most often associated with night terrors in DSM-5?
What are Sleepwalking, mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, substance use disorders.