common misconceptions
true or false: sleep terrors can only be experienced by children?
false! although sleep terrors are most commonly experienced by children, teen and adults are also at risk.
doctors can prescribe _____ to adults experiencing frequent sleep terrors
antidepressants
During a night terror, your child may have a fast ______ and ______.
Breathing and Heart rate
What is a common factor many people experience that may contribute to sleep terrors. (hint: we learned about this in class)
stress
true or false: alcohol and drug use can contribute to sleep terrors
true! during periods of alcohol withdrawal, an individual may be more susceptible to experiencing a sleep terror.
do sleep terrors last your entire life, or rather a few days or weeks?
a few days or weeks!
What is one way to help reduce the frequency of night terrors?
Having a planned sleep routine, meditating before sleep, talking to a doctor, seeing a therapist
When you experience a sleep terror are you able to wake up and remember the details of what happened?
No! Sleep terrors are generally not remembered the morning after.
Yes due to the high amount of anxiety and stress your body is experiencing.
Do sleep terrors occur during REM or non-REM sleep
deep non-REM (about 2-3 hours into sleeping when the transition from the deepest stage of non-REM sleep to lighter REM sleep begins)
true of false: nightmares and sleep terrors are the same thing
false! individuals experiencing nightmares wake up to remember their dream, but those who experience sleep terrors usually stay asleep and don't remember what happened the morning after.
Talking to _________ can be recommended by doctors to reduce stress on the victim
A therapist
what are the most common symptom of sleep terrors?
(all possible answers) suddenly sitting upright in bed, shouting out or screaming in distress, have faster breathing and a quicker heartbeat, sweating, thrashing around, acting upset and scared
what other sleep disorder can be connected to sleep terrors. (hint: this is one of the sleep topics that a group is doing)
restless leg syndrome
true of false: Sleep terrors (commonly known as night terrors or parasomnia) are episodes of intense fear while one is asleep. These episodes are often accompanied by screaming or a flailing of the limbs while the person is asleep. Common causes include sleep deprivation, prolonged stress, poor health or regularly interrupted sleep. Some underlying conditions/disorder that can also contribute include restless leg syndrome, certain medications, alcohol use, sleep disorder breathing, and emotional distress like PTSD. Suddenly sit upright in bed, shouting out or screaming in distress, have faster breathing and a quicker heartbeat,sweating, thrashing around, acting upset and scared are all common symptoms of Sleep Terrors. Treatments for sleep terrors are very limited but include therapy which can be recommended by doctors to reduce stress in the person and also creating a sleeping routine and sticking to it. In adults, the use of and antidepressant Tofranil can help ease the night terrors by suppressing the stress in the individual. Although many people believe sleep terrors to being similar to nightmares, they are very different. Sleep terrors usually last a few days-a few weeks and although most common in children, anyone can experience sleep terrors.
It is mostly experienced by children but it can also be experienced by adults.
true lololol