If you are the parent to more than one child, you are well aware of how two children who were both conceived by the same people can be completely different in a multitude of ways.
It doesn’t take long to figure that out.
And just as your children have different personalities, they will also have different bumps and bruises and illnesses and hurdles with which to deal.
With each child you will become familiar with a growing number of medical and psychological conditions.
There will be rashes and croup and fifth’s disease and allergic reactions and teeth coming in at all sorts of fucked up directions. There will be broken bones and lice and anxiety and OCD and fevers and strep throat and flu and RSV and bronchitis and pneumonia and lots of other stuff.
The more kids you have, the longer it takes for your blood pressure to increase, because you have most likely been there and done that.
We have seen a lot after seven kids.
But every once in a while, one of your kids will get sick or demonstrate some sort of condition that you haven’t experienced before.
We are having one of those situations with Number 4.
And I could use your help.
Number 4 has been experiencing night terrors for the past few days.
This isn’t the first time she’s had them.
But this last round is lasting a little longer than usual.
Tonight she was supposed to sleep over at a friend’s house, and we had to cancel the sleepover part of the get together.
Poor Number 4 was very upset, and I feel terrible for her.
If you’ve never experienced a night terror, they are much different from a nightmare.
Your child often appears to be completely wide awake and coherent. But also completely panic stricken or terrified.
It is not uncommon for kids to get out of bed. To flail their arms. To talk to you very clearly. To attempt to leave the house.
And these night terrors are usually more upsetting for the people witnessing them than they are for the people having them.
Number 4 has no recollection these episodes in the morning.
But Number 3 was pretty freaked out by the one he witnessed two nights ago.
And I knew if Number 4 slept over at her friend’s house and her friend saw her in that state, she’d likely be a little traumatized. And it could be upsetting for her parents, too.
We talked about it this morning.
Number 4 told me she was embarrassed. She started crying.
What’s wrong with me?, she asked through tears.
And that’s when I told her why I write about stuff here on the blog that people don’t always talk about.
How lots of people are scared to talk about things because they are under the assumption that they are the only people experiencing them.
I told Number 4 how when I write about them I feel better because lots of people tell me how they are going or have gone through the same thing.
And then I don’t feel alone or embarrassed at all.
I did my best to convince Number 4.
You are not the only person who is going through this. And this is not your fault. Sometimes it just happens. This is a phase you are going through, and just as it has come on without warning, at some point it will also go away.
She looked at me like she wanted to believe me.
But I don’t think she really did.
It sucks going through something like this as an adult, feeling like you are fucked up and the only one in the world who is.
But when it’s your eight-year-old daughter, it’s heartbreaking.
So I asked her if I could write about it today.
I promised her that if she let me, I would hear from other parents whose kids are going through or have gone through the same thing.
That other moms and dads would share stories of their kids who also have night terrors.
That if she shared what was going on with her, she wouldn’t feel like more of an outcast.
She would feel like less of one.
I assured her she would go from feeling alone to feeling like lots and lots of other people could understand what she was going through. That she would feel supported. And know there are many kids out there just like her.
Number 4 looked at me and she said, “Okay, Mommy. You can write about it.”
And she looked a little bit relieved.
So if you’ve got any experience with this shitty issue, I’d love to hear about it. And so would Number 4.
I’d love to show her that she’s in good company.
And even more importantly, I’d really love to teach her the lesson that while it can be terrifying to put yourself out there, that when you do, not only do you realize that you are helping yourself, but you are helping tens, hundreds, or sometimes even thousands of other people.
And that feels pretty awesome.
My step-daughter went through the same thing! Completely terrifying! She, as well, did not remember them in the morning. She would wake up with a piercing scream, crying uncontrollably, and was completely inconsolable…. For about 7-10 minutes, 3-4 times per week, for about 6-8 months. I learned to just be there with her & not try to reason with her or ask her questions. She wouldn’t answer my questions anyway, because of course, she was still asleep. She is now a fifth grader & has sleepovers a lot. She overcame them & so can you #4! There are many kids out there feeling the same way as you. You Are Not Alone, Kiddo!
Jen
My daughter that is now 14 experienced night terrors several times a week from the ages of 5-7. I went through a terrible guilty phase for a while. When my daughter first started experiencing them, I had never heard of them and didn’t know what was going on. Because, as you said, she appeared completely awake and coherent…I got frustrated with her and would raise my voice or attempt to doscipline thinking she was just trying to avoid bedtime. She would also not remember a thing the morning. Once the pediatrician explained to both of us what was going on… we both felt better. Your sweetheart is not alone.
My one 6 year old boy has the same night terror over and over again. It’s about a snake and bugs. Two things seem to work only. Either me or my wife sleeps in his room, or we leave lights on. He sometimes wakes up his brother when having a night terror. I really hope he out grows in ASAP.
my son used to have night terrors all the time. It was terrifying as his mom, being completely helpless and having no rhyme or reason why he had them or how to make them stop. He had no idea what would happen, but he would scream and scream. You would of thought the kids hair was on fire the way he freaked out. Eventually he out grew them and now he hasn’t had one for a really long time. You’re daughter is def not alone, I know so many moms who’s kids had the same issue. Hoping it gets better for you!
Now that you bring it up, it’s been 2 years since our oldest had the same experience. We tried to understand it on our own. But they continued. Finally we asked for prayer at church and started to see them lessen. Our oldest is an anxious girl and has a very hard time making a decision. Prayerhas been our choice of healing. We will prayer for your girl too.
All the best!
Our daughter has had night terrors for over a year. Nothing has helped and it seems as they will NEVER go away.
I pray every night. Can I ask you to pray for her too?
Her name is Chance.
Thank you, God bless.
I had night terrors as a child. My parents took me to many psychologists, but they found nothing. I was finally evaluated for a host pf physical ailments and I had a low grade kidney infection. When they treated it, the night terrors stopped.
My beautiful 3-year-old little girl I had about four night terrors when she was first at my apartment for 14 days I take her every weekend from her mom and he hasn’t had one since until tonight it’s very frustrating and there’s no common right now and she realizes it’s happening but she can’t control it what is it medically anyone know,?
Hi there my daughters just literally took another night terror. She is six and beeb having then almost every night for two years… I’ve since found out s lot of this Is due to a full bladder. And she does head for toilet every single time during this episode she will still be screaming on the pan but when done she will calmly go back to sleep. Is this something you have noticed. It is horrible to watch I know it’s almost like their hallucinating she had the worst one I have seen last month where she was running with hands through air like she was being chased. she is in great routine so not over tired which can also trigger these x
My daughter’s recurrent night terrors were caused by artificial dyes (food coloring) in food. It’s in EVERYTHING. Even marshmallows have blue dye. After eliminating artificial color from everything she hasn’t had one since.
How did you know it was dye that was causing it!
Yes!!! We have slowly learned that everytime my daughter has one there has been food dye involved. The last two times were caused by gatorade in the evening. I’m sooo glad we are not alone in this matter!
I’m praying for Chance as well as the rest of your family, good luck during this trying time.
Hang in there is all I can say. My middle daughter had these for sbout a year and a half. They got so bad tgat they were lasting 45 min to an hour and by the time I would get her back to sleep and we would finally start falling back tk sleep she was up eith another one. Sometimes 4-8i a night. It had me in tears and our marriage was very stressed due to lack of sleep. I finally talked to a PA that I work with and he said if it was his kid he would cut out all processed foods and artifical dye.Knowing how hard that would be I started with what she had last the night before our worst one. She had some candy with red dye.Thats where we started. I eliminated ALL red dye from her diet, they stopped almost immediately so we didn’t have to go any further. I kept her off for about a year and then slowly reintroduced it. I told the pediatrician, and he said that it would have nothing to do with the dye. Maybe it was a coincidence but it worked !! Hang in there and know you are not alone!!!
Hi Heather,
Stick with your instincts as far as Red #40. I’m 43, had serious night terrors as a child… and ALSO a serious intolerance for red food coloring.
I no longer consume it at all. For me it brings on HORRIBLE ADHD like? symptoms, extreme muscle tension, dilated pupils, severe anxiety… even today if I accidentally ingest some (it’s in everything even baked goods to make them look more golden).
Doctors tend to blow off our theories and experiences….but then they do make money the more we visit them don’t they? 🙂
Good luck.
Hey there momma! I am the other bat shit crazy mom of 7 that has a very foul mouth!! Lol Now with that being said I will try to write this for little lady so you can read it to her.
Hi sweetie. My son’s name is Bryce and he has a bunch of brothers and sisters just like you.
I’m going to cut out the red 40. My niece would misbehave terribly as well as rash. Had we not realized the rash we would not have known it’s the dye. They at first said my son had autism (18 months old) then said no it’s Sensory Processing Disorder (which I do see a lot of correlation). Finally it’s ADHD but my neighbor’s son has that, he is loud, hyper, but kind and obedient. He may need several warnings but always works it out. I know red dye issues run in our family. I literally avoided avoiding it because I’m exhausted. Judging by the typos 🤣 the cussing we all are freaking tired. I’m doing the “preemptive waking” it’s been 2 days, I’m going to die but he made it through the night 2x! When does a child sleep through the night? I’ll tell you it’s after 7yo. Busy weekend and a lot of excitement then he bursts into my bedroom, screaming jibberish, I flicked on the light only to hear that plant shriek from Harry Potter. Finally I saw his hands grabbing his head screaming his head hurt so bad he was dying. After 40 mins still could not end it. I didn’t realize he was asleep. Although he was hallucinating asleep he was coherent. He even got dressed for the ER. The EMTs were both hunky Dad’s. Son swore it was a tumor. They were able to snap him out of it. Hence the preemptive wake up. I truly don’t know what else to do??? I’m going to pull red 40. What do I got to lose. Praying constantly and hope #4 knows she’s so loved.
** I would have driven him but my car was blocked in and I couldn’t detach him to do the switchro
Whoops and now the rest
Bryce is also a twin. He doesn’t think that part is very cool. Bryce also has very scary dreams with his eyes open like you. And yes silly girl he thinks something is wrong too. I told Bryce when I was a little girl I did too. Man is it ever hard to go back to sleep after this happens huh? The cool thing about dreams is they are pictures in our mind that we don’t control. Dreams just kind of happen. When Bryce is really tired or sometimes right before he gets a cold this happens. Bryce has these for up to an hour sometimes whew that is rough. Thank goodness we don’t really remember them. We have a special washcloth that is all his for when this happens. Us mommies can tell when this is about to happen. That is where we come in to help. I grab his washcloth and run it under cold water. I know that sounds kind of mean but really listen to the cool things that go with it. I fold the cloth up and put it to his cheek while we sit in the rocking chair together. The cold water helps wake him up.Yes sometimes I have to follow him around the house and outside while he is still sleeping. Silly huh? Then I pick him up a bunch of times and put him back in the chair with me. I sing songs to him and whisper that I am here and he will be ok. “Don’t cry Mommy is here” just like your Mommy does. He is just one year younger than you too. While you are little I know this is very hard on you but us Mommies are here to help you. This won’t last much longer because when you get older like me you will learn how to wake yourself up. Hang in there sweet girl and I hope this helps you and Mommy and if you want you can even share this with your brothers and sisters. Better dreams to come ?
I’m a mom of 2 toddlers and a 17 year old. My oldest had night terrors but I was also young and I could make it on no sleep. I’m 37 now and my 2nd babe is doing this every night now for 2 weeks for an hour at a time all night long. I cry every night begging in my mind to just find a way to make it stop. Reading your reply the way you wrote it so compassionately and gentle made me cry! Even as a mom I catch myself getting kind of scared tired and sad for my little and sad cause I’m so tired, but reading it your way I myself actually feel consoled and I appreciate that. That probably sounds silly but I’m ok with that. Thanks for your patient words!
My daughter had night terrors for about 18 months. She would come running into our room, heart racing and sweaty. She would be terrified of someone or something that was out to get her or us. Her eyes would be wide open and glazed over. No matter what I said it would not console her. I would take her back to bed and lay with her and rub her back until she calmed down and fell back to sleep. No recollection in the morning. This went on at least 3 times a week. I talked to doctors and psychologists who all told me she would grow out of it. I was exhausted for a year and a half. But suddenly it stopped and she never had another on. Hang in there. You both will get through it.
Hi there!
You are not alone! My son who is 4.5 years old has night terrors. It is definitely scary to witness, but he has no recollection of them when he wakes up. Hang in there little one. I have done some research and learned that a lot of kids outgrow them by around age 10.
When our son is old enough for sleepovers, I don’t want this to hold him back from having fun and attending. Everyone has different fears…I remember reading about a very famous actress being scared of sleepovers because she use to pee herself at night…every night…until she was in her late teens. She didn’t let that stop her from attending sleepovers though!
I talk in my sleep…I sometimes swear in German! My husband snores like crazy! We have a cat that toots!!! in his sleep!
My point is, everyone has their little ticks and things that makes us…us. Hang in there 🙂
My son had them as well. What worked for us was that he would usually have them about the same time (12 a.m.) So we started waking him up at 11:00 just for a couple of minutes, then letting him go back to sleep and then he wouldn’t have them. I know that doctors say that there is no proof about the red food dye, but we cut that out as well and also saw a huge difference. Hope this helps, it does go away! 🙂
45 years ago my little sister went through a period of talking in her sleep, scared to death, asking to go outside. No doctors or psychobabble were discussed. My grandfather took her outside till she calmed down and then put her back to bed. After awhile it went away, but it was awful when she was going through it. Best wishes, #4, night scares have been happening for years.
My pediatrician said to see what time they are occurring and gently shake your child 45 min before (don’t wake them, just shake or touch till they are almost awake). Rousing them resets the dream cycle and they skip the night terror. Do this for a week every night. Hope it helps!
My son is two and four months and started having night terrors shortly after turning one. The pediatrician agreed that’s early but he is very verbal and was already speaking full sentences by one. The dreams are awful. He cries and screams and grips onto mommy or daddy with some serious strength. I think he might actual rip my shirt off! He has these terrors every fees weeks, sometimes a few nights in a row and then they seem to calm down for a while before returning. I myself had night terrors from about the same age through age 12 according to my mom. I do recall some of the episodes when I was older but nothing when I was younger. Point being – kids just outgrow them and #4 will too!
Hey Susie, I’m a mom of three girls 9,6, & 3. My oldest girls have experienced night terrors too! I have figured for my girls it usually happens when they are exhausted. I will usually start bumping up their bed time by 15 minutes or so for a few days, then bump it up 15 more minutes until they catch up on their sleep and the terrors ease up. My middle girl was also diagnosed with low ferritin which can also lead to sleep disturbances…her levels are normal now, but she’ll still have them if she’s overly tired. Hope this helps-hang in there-and thanks for writing! I look forward to it (my ten minutes of peace).
My oldest daughter, now 19 was victim of night terrors around the age of 3. We had a great pediatrician….old school peds…who assured us that this would pass, and yes it is terrifying for all involved. She would also appear to be wide awake, but it seemed as if she were looking right through us. We put chain locks up high on every door, including the one to the basement as well as a baby gate at her door (just to slow her down until we reached her) as we had put the baby monitor back in use. This old and wise pediatrician had us give a 1/2 tsp of Dimetapp before bed and it worked like a charm. Good luck!! And Number 4, this too shall pass sweetheart and there is NOTHING wrong with you, just another childhood thing that a lot of other kids experience too. 🙂
I’m so glad you posted this because my oldest (4 years old) just started having them and I figured with seven kids you must have some experience with night terrors. They are absolutely terrifying but thank goodness they are worse for me and my husband than our son. I’ve been googling night terrors quite a bit recently and read that often times having your child go to the bathroom can snap him or her out of it. I’ve tried this with my son the last 3 times and it worked! I had to pick him up and put him on the toilet but then I put him back in bed and he fell right asleep! The entire episode lasted 5 minutes. Before I read this tip he had 3 night terrors that each lasted 30 minutes. Maybe it’s a coincidence but definitely worth a try. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to know my son is in good company with someone as smart, funny, creative, kind and ambitious as number 4. Keep calm and take a pee!
This bathroom trick works for to stop my sons night terrors as well. He is 8 and has had night terrors on and off since he was 2.
I hope she feels better by reading these comments because what she is going through is not uncommon in my family! And she’ll grow out of it. I should know; my sister did! My sister was number 4’s age when she got out of bed, walked into the living room, and looked at my aunt and mom who were talking. Mom asked her if she needed anything and why was she out of the bed? My sis got mad, said some words, and then pulled her pants down, sat on the recliner, and peed! After she was done, she pulled her pants back up and went back to bed, looking totally coherent and awake throughout. You can imagine my mom and aunt with mouths open and utter disbelief all over their faces from what just went down – literally! And that’s just ONE story of my sister’s night terrors. Fortunately, she grew out of it. However, payback if something else, right? She seemed to have passed it down to her daughter, my niece, now 12. My niece has had quite a few herself, but in the most recent years, she is not as terrorizing as this one scary incident: she was staying the night at her dad’s for the weekend, and her dad, at the time, was living near a lake with a dock ramp. My niece was found at the edge of the dock just staring into the water in the middle of the night. When her dad found her – completely freaked out – he told her to go back to bed, and so she simply turned around and went back towards the house and found her way into her bed.
So see? It could always be worse. Even for my niece it could have been worse! But Number 4 is definitely not alone ans rest assured, it will not last forever.
My 4 year old had night terrors for about 6 months around 2-3 years of age. It was awful. I hoped my younger would not have the same experience. But now at 2 years and 4 months old, he has started having them a few nights each week. I just try to comfort him as he flails about screaming in apparent fear. And my heart breaks for my little guys because I, too, suffered from night terrors into my mid-twenties. They are no fun, but so far we are all turning out to be quite okay! So hang in there, Number 4, you are not alone, you are not an outcast, but you are most definitely a very strong young girl!
I have a 12 year old son who was diagnosed with ADHD by the time he was in 1st grade. I even remember arguing with the teacher that he could not be put on meds until he was 6 (his bday is in november). He started his sleepwalking when he was little, i would say 4 but honestly i dont think he ever slept thru the night to begin with. I think he was about 4 he starting sleepwalking, which is night terrors. I never like to use that word, makes it sound scary. But he would wake up and eyes wide open, get up and at first he seemed to be trying to get out of the house in a panic, so we got child locks at the top of the doors. Then he was getting up and walking around, frantically looking for something, or he would try to have a conversation and makes no sense sometimes mumbling, sometimes panicked. I would just take him back to his bed and be calm and tell him its ok, time to get in bed, tuck him in, rub his back. But that stopped when he started adhd meds. I dont know why or how it works. This article made me think of him since he has missed his pill a few times this summer. I know it happens and just stay calm and guide him back to bed. I have noticed a pattern, always between an hour and 2 hours that it occurs. I hope some of this helps, not sure about sleepovers.
I have a 12 year old son who was diagnosed with ADHD by the time he was in 1st grade. I even remember arguing with the teacher that he could not be put on meds until he was 6 (his bday is in november). He started his sleepwalking when he was little, i would say 4 but honestly i dont think he ever slept thru the night to begin with. I think he was about 4 he starting sleepwalking, which is night terrors. I never like to use that word, makes it sound scary. But he would wake up and eyes wide open, get up and at first he seemed to be trying to get out of the house in a panic, so we got child locks at the top of the doors. Then he was getting up and walking around, frantically looking for something, or he would try to have a conversation and make no sense sometimes mumbling, sometimes panicked. I would just take him back to his bed and be calm and tell him its ok, time to get in bed, tuck him in, rub his back. But that stopped when he started adhd meds. I dont know why or how it works. This article made me think of him since he has missed his pill a few times this summer. I know when its happening and just stay calm and guide him back to bed. I have noticed a pattern, always between an hour and 2 hours after falling asleep that it occurs. I hope some of this helps, not sure about sleepovers.
Wow..like my 5 yr old just had one a few minutes before I saw your article. Been having them for over a year. We’ve tried white noise or keeping her to her bed every night, but no change really. Just waiting for her to grow out of them. I slept walk from about age 5-10 so maybe it’s genetic(?). Hang in there mama!
There has also been a link recently in the medical field with iron deficiency and nightmares/terrors. Might be something to consider checking if the other suggestions for trying to help her doesn’t work.
My oldest started with them at the age of 2 (she’s now 11). She would “wake up” crying and couldn’t tell you why she was so upset. She would occasionally get up out of bed and walk around. One time, we even woke up to her crying outside in the middle of the night. She recalled NONE of it. It was very disconcerting for us until we figured out she wasn’t even awake. We would just put her back in bed and comfort her until she fell asleep. The episodes began tapering off and she eventually grew out of it, the last being about 3 years ago. We found that ensuring she didn’t get too ever tired and got plenary of rest helped, to some degree.
Hi! My (then 6 yr old) daughter suffered from night terrors every night for about 3 months. It was extremely draining for me, especially until I researched a little and found out about night terrors…it did not affect her so much – she actually never quite believed that they happened at all, since, as you said, she had absolutely no recollection of them at all in the morning. What used to impress me the most was the way that, one minute she would be terrified, clutching at me, repeating the same word over and over, staring consistently into the same spot in the room, and then, the next second, she would close her eyes and fall into the deepest sleep and nothing i would try could wake her up. Not a nice experience at all, but it was gone as suddenly as it started, with no logical explanation. So don’t worry young lady, I do not know you much, but from what I hear, you are tough enough to get through much more than these night terrors!! hugs!xxxx
My niece had them for a while when she was a but younger than no. 4. She is also super bright. The doctor advised the family to introduce super structured bedtime routines –same sequence every night-and the terrors subsided shortly after that. Good luck!!
I had night terrors at two points in my life, and I still remember them (I’m 38!). Not the details, but the general gist. FYI, they can be tactile, too, as well as visual and auditory. The longest stint lasted 9 months when I was 11 years old. I would wake up around midnight every night, go to the bathroom, get back in bed and try to go back to sleep, then it would start. The rest of the night I would be half-awake, half asleep. I was continually sleep-deprived my entire 5th grade year. Sometimes one of my parents would come in and stay with me, other times I would go stay with them. It didn’t make the night terrors go away, but it helped to not be physically alone. I will tell you what helped and what didn’t. We went to our pastor, he laughed and patted me on the head. That didn’t help. We went to a counselor, did the things she suggested to reduce my anxiety levels. Cut out all but one extracurricular activity, and then added an art lesson to channel my creativity/highly active imagination. Children with night terrors have very active imaginations and often high anxiety levels. This helped, some. But I think it was mostly just time. Love and time. Number 4, this is a phase, it will pass. It sucks, I know, but you are not alone.
Yup. Completely normal and common. I had them. My middle son has them.
I am 23 years old and I now have 1-3 night terrors per year. I started having them when I was 12, we never found out the cause or what slowed them down, but they reduced from around 3 per month so number 4 you are not alone even adults have them sometimes
My son had them from the age of about six to eight. They are super scary. Some of his lasted only five minutes but one time I think there was one that lasted 30 minutes. Thank goodness for the internet because it calmed me immediately knowing that these were normal and usually kids outgrow them. He is almost nine now and I don’t think he’s had one for at least a year. My husband and I did note that sometimes it seemed it would happen on days when he had lots of sugar, and perhaps a lot of activity. The activity part completely defies the rule of them sleeping better when they’ve had more activity. My husband and I are quite good at self diagnosing. Aren’t we all? Sometimes I would try to give him a drink of water, and that would seem to snap him out of it. I hope your little one feels comfort with all these replies. This too shall pass. Thank you for a wonderful, honest blog, that makes me laugh and keeps me sane!
My daughter has been getting these for several years, off and on. She is 7 now. I have noticed she often gets the night terrors when she’s about to show symptoms of being sick. Like, a day or two after one, she’ll have symptoms of an ear infection or strep throat or something. I also think being too warm or going to bed with a full bladder can trigger them, so we use light pj’s and ensure she uses the potty before bed. When she does have these episodes, they seem to always happen around 10 or 11 pm, so I try to go in to her room around that time and kiss her forehead and tell her I love her. I don’t fully wake her, just kind of lightly wake her so that she rolls over or repositions. I think that helps her get out of whatever sleep cycle she is in, and then she doesn’t have a terror. Good luck; her pediatrician said it’s normal :/. I know it’s terrifying to witness. If she’s in the middle of an episode, I take her to the bathroom and have her bare feet touch the cold tile floor and then have her go potty. Sometimes it helps bring her out of it.
My #2 had night terrors when she was 4 (she’s 8 now) and they were crazy! She would attack us, scream and yell, and nearly hurt herself from jumping off the bed. We co-slept with all our babies and they slept great so I thought I would try co-sleeping again. It worked great! She slept in our bed for a few weeks and then we transitioned her back to her bed. She hasn’t had another night terror since. The night terrors seem to be a stage and I bet you’ll be past it soon.
Best wishes!
Yes! Our daughter went through night terrors. They did t happen every night, but they were very upsetting to witness when they did. She would sit up in bed and scream and cry inconsolably. Sometimes she would say words and (possibly?) sentences, but her father and I couldn’t understand what she was saying. It was heartbreaking to witness because she was so distraught, but she’s have no recollection of them the next morning. They lasted about a year. They will end!!
I had sisters who suffered from night terrors, it was very scary and difficult for my parents. But, as do most things in life, the phase passed and they are perfectly happy adults now with their own little ones. I thought of this npr segment I heard once, I have pasted it below, if you can listen to it instead of reading it as the narrator is very good and somthing is lost without the emotion in his voice.
http://www.npr.org/2013/12/06/249224556/turn-on-the-lights
My little brother had them. & I remember being terrified. Number 4, you are not alone & it will go away. Right now, you just have to trust your momma. She may not know much about these, but she knows what’s best for you.
Suzie, there are TONS of home remedies. I have a friend who doesn’t let her son have sugar after 4pm. & She uses a LOT of lavender.
I hope you guys get a good night sleep soon.
my son has ben having them off and on since he was an infant, when he has them which happen mostly at the change of a
season(no clue why but they totally line up) we will rouse him about twenty or thirty minutes before he usually has them(around 2 am) so that he’s still asleep but kind of awake and it will help break the cycle.
My son, now 12, has had them since he was an infant. Was always worse when he went through a lot of changes in homelife, school etc. And can still count on them if we stay in a hotel or he has a sleepover (change in location) almost always he is fighting someone off and is scared (received one black eye trying to calm him) He never remembers and as a family try and now to laugh about it (although he still gets upset sometimes as he has no control)
Mostly I try to not let him get too overtired and restrict anything that could disturb his sleep. And I ALWAYS warn parents/camp staff before any sleepovers!
Good luck!
Hello, how brave your girl is to let you share this and help us all to feel less alone.
My seven year old gets them as well, and as someone else noted above, it seems to be a harbinger of sickness, esp strep.
If you notice they are happening at a certain point at night, as someone suggested rousing her a little can disturb the sleep cycle and avoid the terror.
Good luck to you both. She’s not alone – and you’re right, hearing that other children have outgrown it helped me at least!
Both my boys suffered from night terrors, starting at about age 6. It was completely terrifying. The trick that works for them is to immediately take them to the bathroom and make them go. This snaps them out of it every single time. They are now 9 and 13 respectively and rarely have them. My 7 year old daughter has never had one. Fingers crossed. Good luck!
My daughter who is 8 now has had them since she was 4. I found for her cutting back on sugar has helped. We finally started keeping track of what she had eaten during each day and they seemed to be worse if she had more sugar than usual that day. She still gets them but not as often. She always called it sleep crying . She would get up and say was I sleep crying last night? Because she never remembers.
My son (now 25) had them on and off from age 4-8. One time we had to pick him up at 3 am from a sleepover when he had one. In his case they seemed to happen when he had had a particularly busy (sensory overload) day, so they happened more frequently in the summer when our schedule wasn’t as rigid. To help prevent them on days that were jammed packed with activities, we would try to get home early enough so that he could have an hour or so to just chill. Waking him up about 2 hours after he had gone to bed to use the bathroom also seemed to help prevent them. Some things that may help in the midst of one is to change the smell of his surroundings by spraying a room freshener. The shift in scent would seem to snap him out of it. I also remember trying to distract him by asking him to hold random unbreakable items. Once he would set or throw the item down I would ask him to hold something else. When all else failed we would just talk to him and make sure he didn’t harm himself until the episode passed. For the most part he quit having them when by the time he was 9. He says he thinks he had one when he was in USMC bootcamp when he was 19. So tell her she is brave and that even “bad ass” Marines have them.
My 8 month old daughter is going through this as well. It’s gotten so bad to where she has hurt herself (just with her nails or the buckle of her car seat whatever she is in at the time) It is very scary I do agree. She doesn’t even recognize me or her father when she is having them. We just hold her and tell her it’s okay until she calms down. So I do understand and she is not alone. I wish I knew how to help my precious baby girl better.
Night terrors….my grandson five just had one while we were vacationing.terrifing….we went to emergency room not knowing what was going on…they shrugged off..he was seeing bugs and eggs on both me and his mother..screaming eyes were wide open like he was scared to death.He finally calmed down after hours but still talked about for two days…never want to experience again….
I know this post is from 2 years ago, but I was desperately looking on the web with more info on night terrors. My almost 9 year old son is still having regular night terrors. They started at 5 years old, and we were so afraid the first time it happened, that we almost called 911. I started videoing the episodes and showed them to his pediatrician, I was told he would grow out of them and given a handout. He always has to use the restroom and it seems like that is the only thing that will calm him down. Even though he is screaming for me, we can’t talk to him or touch him, this only makes it worse. I am desperate for some kind of relief for everyone. I am afraid he may try to leave the house, or hurt himself. He has been known to climb on things during an episode, and even jump off the things he is climbing on. We have to turn the motion sensors on the steps at night in case he tries to escape, but even then he could hurt himself going down the stairs. He has went downstairs several times during an episode which sets off the security alarm. I have heard from a coworker that cutting Yellow 5 out of his diet will help, and that it helped my coworkers child who is now an adult. I tried googling that about Yellow 5, but can’t find it anywhere. We are afraid to let him spend the night with anyone, unless it’s my parents who will sleep right there with him.
I completely feel your pain. My daughter is almost 9 and has had these terrors since 5 as well. Sometimes a couple of times in the night. Even though I was advised that it is not necessary, she saw a play therapist for a year until the therapist told me she is fine. Then I took her to a hypnotherapist, who after 2 sessions, told me that my child has a healthy and happy mind and she cannot tap into anything that could be causing the terrors. She goes to bed early and reads a book until she falls asleep, no TV before bedtime. But still she wakes up, puts on lights, walks around and cries. Not recalling anything in the morning. So sad that we cannot help them.
I’m 14 years old and I remember having night terrors when I was in the first grade. I was constantly being shook trying to be awaken by my mom or dad from screaming or crying. When I woke up my mind was blank. I felt like nothing had even happened until I got told. I haven’t had them in a very long time but last night I had one again. My mom said she tried to shake me and get me to snap out of it and nothing worked. When I woke up the next morning I remember trying think about my dream. It felt like it was right there but I couldn’t reach it. Then my mom told me I had a night terror. Now I’m scared this will become a regular thing again. And I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with me. Why the sudden recurrence in night terrors? If any one can help me please do.
Hi Aiden, you are not alone girl. My daughter is almost 9 and she has night terrors almost every night for the last 4 years. I haven’t found a solution yet, but I have heard that if you right down the things that worry you and things you fear, it might lighten the burden in your heart and allow you to sleep better.
Hi. I know this post is from 2015, but I am awake again for the 5th week in a row. My son, who turned 2 yesterday, recently started having night terrors. He has always been a wonderful sleeper. From one month old, he slept through most every night, unless he was sick. I thought he was having nightmares at first, but not realize they are night terrors. My family told me that I also had them at a very young age. I also had them as a teenager. It became a joke between me and my friends. The terrors and sleepwalking seemed to stop for the most part for several years unless I was very stressed.
They didn’t come back again until I was pregnant with my son. That’s when the sleepwalking returned too. I fell and hurt my foot, and it is still not better to this day, even after seeing numerous doctors. Thankfully, he was just fine! I doubt I’ll ever be a runner again though. 🙁 I discovered that I’d been sleepwalkiny again after waking up with severe heartburn to discover that I’d eaten a half bag of jalapeño chips in my sleep. I actually have done a lot of sleep eating over the years. Thank goodness I’ve never choked!
I have seen a therapist for this and he is amazed that I have actually been able to realize I am asleep. I cannot wake up, but I know it is not real. It’s really helpful when dreaming crazy things in your sleep. I hope your daughter has been able to outgrow this, but if not, she is certainly not alone.
My son is 10 and has had night terrors since he was 3 yrs old. When he was younger they happened pretty regularly. I can remember the first time it happened I was very upset with him because he was telling me he had to go potty and was running around like a crazy person. He was yelling and crying and I couldn’t help but yell at him to get in the bathroom and go! Then after he finally sat on the toilet he was looking up in the corner of the bathroom, was speaking in tongues (at least it seemed like it) and he was shaking and shivering and looked scared to death. I thought oh my God does he see something I can’t?? It was terrifying. They dont happen as often as they used to but when they do he runs around the whole house jumping on and off furniture. He shakes, gets tachycardic, tachypneic, and very confused. I can usually convince him to lay down and go back to bed if I’m firm with him. His older brother and sister are both used to it and do the same. Sometimes he wakes up in the middle of it and can remember being scared but not sure why. For us, caffeine seems to be a trigger and it doesn’t matter what time of day he has had it. You and your daughter are definitely not alone! My son was embarrassed at first too but making his friends aware of the possibility made it less embarrassing if it did happen during a sleepover. Thanks for blogging and I hope it has subsided for her.
My son who is 11 has been experiencing this since he was an infant. It happens almost every night and not just once. It happens all night. He will get out of bed, sleep walk, yell, cry etc. There is no waking him. He usually won’t use words if I talk to him. He gets very angry. It’s hard to watch and know that no matter what I do I can’t help him. He never remembers it in the morning. I feel like he and I are going on 11 years of no sleep. I have suffered from nightmares and sleep paralysis. It is not fun. Any suggestions? I have tried many things and nothing has helped thus far.
I see that this post is old but there are some fairly recent comments so here we go! My daughter started having night terrors at age 4 and now she’s 7. They used to be maybe once a month or so, but for the last 9 months, they have been happening 5+ times per week and are increasing in severity. Tonight she was flailing violently and screaming at the top of her lungs, trying to run into the wall, trying to climb and jump off various items. My husband and I are absolutely beside ourselves… once she wakes up she is sobbing uncontrollably and takes a while to calm down. She hates this. Her heart is racing, lips chapped, face red, sweating like crazy… we have tried so many things- the bathroom (no), the sleep Lilly device (no), reducing sugar… an hour of calm before bed, same bed time throughout all of this with no exceptions, reading before bed, resetting the sleep cycle with various wake up times, waking her up slightly, waking her up all the way… we are at a loss. So I thank everyone who has posted as we are going to try: vitamins, protein shake in the morning with spinach for a possible iron deficiency, eliminating red dye, and writing down her worries and fears to help alleviate any stress or anxiety she may have.
I’m sorry but the she’ll grow out of it reassurance is not reassuring- this is so incredibly hard to watch but worse it’s so hard to watch my daughter cry because she can’t stop these. Please if anyone has any other recommendations… any help, please comment!
My son experienced night terrors from age 8 to 11 sporadically. He is 23 now and looking back, I think he was worrying a good bit about various things before he went to sleep and I did not realize it. I wonder now if a good calming routine before bed of reading positive/happy short stories or something like that would have helped. I’m not sure. What did help most of the time was turning on tv to a cartoon channel. They are on all night it seems. The animation would grab his attention and if he was able to focus on it for a few seconds it would wake him up. Occaisionally having him look at himself in the mirror would do the same thing. It just seemed to jar him from a vacant terrified stare to a focussed look and he would wake up. Sometimes he would have a vague memory if something bothering him but usually not. Hope this works for some of you.
Meagan, my 9-year-old daughter is back to having night terrors after a few years “off”. It was very mysterious when the terrors started at age 6 – right after a run of bronchiolitis. She was prescribed a steroid along with Z-Pak antibiotics, and did not react well. I suspect that she had some sort of inflammatory response to the illness and aggressive treatment. Thankfully, when she had her first row of terrors I took her in for a full blood panel. She had several deficiencies including low ferritin.
Daughter just got over a long week recovering from the flu. I read somewhere that low iron/ferritin can result in being more prone to getting sick. So I’m guessing that the times when her iron dips, she is more prone to night terrors as well as having a weaker immunity. It’s worth checking out.
Hi number 4.. Just want to share a lil bit about my 5 year old son.. Hes been having night terros dor awhile already..me and his dad dont let him sleel anywhere as we have tbe same concerns your mommy has.. We care deeply about u guys and we do this for the best safefy for u guys.. You guys are not an outcast it just happens but in gods name they will eventually leave like your mommy said just as they came without any warnings it will leave the same way.. Have faith god is good !!
I have 2 boys who both have had night terrors. It’s very haunting to look into your child’s eyes and see the primal fear they have at something you can’t see. A few things that seem to have worked for us to snap them out are: Carry them outside into the cool/ cold night, or drink some cold water or run their hands under some cool water in the sink. The most successful thing i’ve found though is: hold eye contact to try and make a connection then get them to count with you 1,2,3 then get them to clap with you on 3. Repeat for a few times till they’re back. Mine would have no idea what just happened. Sounds odd but It worked for us.
I understand this is really old but I wanted to weigh in for the sake of anyone going through this as the of experiencing them or the one watching them. My daughter is 3. She’s the third of 4 children. 2 do not live with us. Off & on without pattern she’s experienced random night terrors that seem to mostly be related to her mom’s work schedule fluctuating (due to working OT, taking time off for things or illness & of course mandatory shift bids every 3-6mos.). She will sometimes throw herself around in her bed & kick & scream. Her bed has a wooden frame with half rails. There’s been times she’ll hurt herself slamming into the rails, headboard, or the wall or even throwing herself against her door while begging us to help her. It’s not uncommon for her to try to hurt any one or thing (including inanimate objects) that get in her way. She will stop as suddenly as she started & will fall right back into normal sleep. It’s quite frightening & heart breaking to watch & sometimes I’ve had to restrain her to keep her from getting badly hurt. I’m always in fear of accidentally bruising her myself in these situations.
Tell that sweet girl that she is not alone. I am 28 years old and suffered from night terrors for most of my childhood. I now have 3 kids, 2 of which also suffer from them. They are terrifying, but they do pass.
My son is almost 13 and has been having them since he was 3. He can go weeks without having any but he can also have weeks where the hit every night. The older he gets the more often he remembers having them but can never remember what they’re about. It’s good to read that he’s not alone.
By now I’m guessing that #4 has grown out of her night terrors, but I just wanted to weigh in on the subject for anyone who is currently experiencing night terrors. I had night terrors, including sleepwalking, when I was about 5 years old. Fast forward to parenthood and I got to experience them in my son when he was 4. He would scream, wide-eyed and panic-stricken. If I tried to approach him or comfort him he would run, flail, kick, punch, and scream about monsters-he wasn’t able to recognize me, and seeing his fear was heartbreaking. All I could do was tell him that Mommy is here, everything is ok, until he would get back in his bed, then I could approach him and rub his back. After about 6 months they stopped, and he has never remembered anything about them. About a month ago my 5 year old daughter started waking up 2-3 hours after going to bed. She has been inconsolable-sobbing uncontrollably, screaming, and pushing me away if I try to soothe her. This happens every night. At first I thought she was just having nightmares because she is not nearly as violent as my son was during his episodes, but when I tried to talk to her about it the next day she remembers nothing. This was my first clue that she was experiencing the same thing as my son and I. When I realized this, I stopped trying to approach her right away. Now I stand in her doorway and quietly tell her the same thing I told my son-Mommy is here, everything is ok-until she starts to calm down, then I slowly approach her as I repeat the phrase. When she falls back onto her pillow (still crying) I rub her back and just keep repeating the phrase. At this point she usually stops crying and falls back asleep very quickly. Her first night terror was just as upsetting to me as my son’s night terrors were, but now I am older and more experienced at dealing with them, and it is comforting to know that she will not remember them in the morning. After reading the other posts, I consider myself lucky that it has only happened once/night, that they are/were relatively short (5-10 min for my daughter/15-20 min for my son), and that my son’s were short-lived. I just hope that my daughter’s night terrors will end soon b/c I am now 38 and the loss of sleep is MUCH harder on me than it was when my son experienced them.
I am not a mother but I am a victim of night terrors. When I was 3 I would wake my parents by kicking the wall beside my bed, which is there the head of their bed was. By the time they got to my room My face would be covered in blood and I would still be screaming and kicking. My mom said it would last only a few minutes. I remember nothing of those times aside from my mom putting mittens on me and taping them on with tape up to my elbows! She was terrified and didn’t want me to keep clawing my face til I was bleeding. I have no recollection of any of it. She said it lasted about a year a few times a week I would violently wake her up by kicking the wall. I do however recall the wall having visible damage to it. And when I was 4 my mom said they just.., stopped. Never had one again. I’m now 33 years old and I think I do still have the occasional night terror, as I snap out of sleep with violent screams, crying and very quick heavy breathing, no recollection as of why.
One of my little sisters have recently started having them. She’s 18 and when she comes home from work late, she often falls asleep with the light on as soon as she gets in. Ill go in to check on her and turn her light off. She tends to wake up in a panic though. She’ll ask me who I am and why I am there. She doesn’t know exactly where is is or who I am. She seems scared of me and several times asked me not to hurt her. Ive learned not to make physical contact with her to attempt to calm her because she just freaks out more. I just tell her, “it is just me, I’m turning you light off. I am not going to hurt you, i love you.” And I usually leave on that note. She almost never remembers it in the morning unless she completely becomes aware of whats happening before she goes back to sleep. My mom doesn’t think it’s legit cause only me and my dad have seen it happen. But it only started happening in the last year so im hopeing she grows out of it soon.
My 5 year old daughter just started having them this year and it’s only when we’re staying the night at her grandparents. The first one completely freaked out my husband and I. She had one again last night, making it #4. She loves art, so the last two times I’ve asked her if she wants to color and she nods yes and we color together for about a half hour or so. Coloring has calmed her down and she goes back to bed without waking again. I should add that all episodes seem to be a precursor to her getting sick. She’s telling me now her throat hurts and her nose is running. Prayers to all who’ve suffered from these scary episodes.
I somehow stumbled upon this article recently. I have recently been reading a lot about airway disorders and sleep apnea. I was just wondering if any of you have had your kids screened for obstructive sleep apnea. There is a lot of research that associates night terrors/wakings with obstructive sleep apnea. Sometimes it’s just caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids. I have only recently delved into this body of research but I wanted to throw that out there in case it might help someone. You would want to take your child to an ENT to be screened or have a sleep study done. If the body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs it will cause you to wake up slightly throughout the night and when you do your body is in a stage of fight or flight which can lead to night terrors. It’s not always the cause but it is in a lot of cases.
Hi 🙂
I had night terrors most of my life. It is totally related to nutrition. If you eat your greens via salad or smoothie they will vanish. You do need to eliminate all the dyes and reduce to healthy sugars like fruit. Good luck!
I wanted to share with anyone who may read this looking for answers… Our son had a brief experience with night terrors. Thankfully a close friend of ours had years of experiencing terrors with her son and had somehow come across some info on a link to iron deficiency. She put her son on Flintstones Iron multivitamins (one of the only brands with higher iron content) and they went away. Obviously upon hearing this I immediately had our son start taking them and the terrors went away and never returned (now nearly a year later without any episodes). I only hope this helps some of you. Best.
My son actually just had one tonight. Every time he’s had them, it was related to or happened during sickness related to the strep virus or a sinus infection that we found out via X-ray. Once antibiotics started, they seemed to subside. It’s so scary though, while it’s happening!
I had night terrors when i was a toddler until i was 10 years old (i’m now 42) Our neighbour across the road(who was a nurse) use to actually hear me screaming. My oldest son Aaron (9 yo later this month) had his first noight terror at 9 months OMG i was petrified my hubby was at work n i rung my Mum. I found cuddling upto him and whispering always helped calm him. He still has the terrors and also has started sleepwalking (something i did regular) in the last 2 months we now have Ciaran (4yo) and he has them too. The last 2 weeks the boys have had a night terror everynight – i think because it has been Christmas, they have been off school and have had later nights. Last night they stopped at their Nans for a sleepover and Ciaran had a terror first and she got downstairs and Aaron had one – he was also sleepwalking and was at the bottom of the ladders of the bunk bed. Half and hour after and he had another, neither of the boys know about these terrors. I think its just one of them things and am just waiting for Ciaran to start sleepwalking, Can you imagine if the boys n myself slept walked all the same night my hubby would be busy lol
My daughter seems to be having something like this on several occasions, not so frequent just every now and then. She wakes up crying not too long after having fallen asleep. Many times she sees weird things like people getting on top of her, sees the world being so big, just sees things that are obviously not real or in front of us. Scares me every time because she’s pointing at whatever she thinks she sees and I try to comfort her and explain that there is nothing there. She understands what I’m telling her and responds so I’m assuming she’s awake but it seems that many who have experienced night terrors claim their child is not even awake. Could this be something different?
My 5 yr old daughter has night terrors very bad, screaming afraid of something we can’t see, doesn’t recognize us, seems awake but she’s not, so very very scary, usually take 7-10 mins till they go away and she falls back asleep. Nothing is more scary then seeing that fear in your child’s eyes and not able to do anything. Anyways reading all your comments gives me hopes she will grow put of it, and helps to hear the majority of your children don’t even remember it, so that’s good. Anyways God bless you all and your little ones.
I have had a serious sinus infection for 13 weeks. I had surgery to find that something is eating my flesh in my nose. The interesting thing was the night before I had my first night terror in 35 years. I awoke in my closet, door bound by a large safe, gun drawn, and when I thought someone was breaking in. I tried to dial 911, but all I remember is the 9 and the 1’s were laughing at me. My family rushed to the closet, and I guess all of their beating and screaming woke me. I was very confused. I just went back to bed. I don’t know what my children think of me. My wife was more concerned about the mess, but that is just 25 years of marriage; she loves me. My right eye still has bad pressure behind it.
Our son who is now 8 has had off and on night terrors since he was around 4. We aren’t sure what activates them, but being sick for the last 2 weeks has definitely not been fun for him or us. While sick, he actually had a night terror taking a nap during the day. It’s the worst feeling seeing your child scared and trembling, not knowing who or what is terrorizing him. I hate it…every second of it. Any other advice on how to talk to them about it?
My son is 8 and has been having night terrors for about 2 years. They only occur like maybe once a month. But yes, he wakes up terrified crying mommy help me help me and he runs through the house and even tries to open the front door which worries me the most. A few times he has even thrown up all over the living room or kitchen during a night terror and doesn’t remember a thing the following morning. The doctor said it is common in younger children. Online it says that it should go away by the time they reach their teens and also to make sure they are getting enough sleep because it could be due to that. My son also has anxiety, and I read a few places online that said it might be linked to that.
Hello my name is Charlise i am having them as well they are very scary i avoid scary stuff but nothing seems to work ive had these since i was 2 i am 8 now and they still have not gone a way my dad is so depressed😭 about the sleep attacks .
We are trying different relaxing activities before bed such as prayer, yoga, calm app. We have a sleep jounal. Make sure she empties her bladder fully. And are working on my ideas.
We wish you all the best!
I have night terrors and I’m nearly 40!
I don’t know how old this page is or if it’s relevant anymore but I’m sitting here reading about night terrors after my son had one and half an hour ago. He’s always had them, I swear they started around 6 months because he would cry and cry in his sleep, inconsolable and then be suddenly fine. As he grew, that same thing continued and I found out they’re night terrors. He’s 5 now, they lessened a lot for a while. I thought they were gone but he’s had 2 in the last 3 nights. He talks to me, sees me.. I know he does because he screams for me and runs to my arms and then looks around and screams and points at things that aren’t there. Like the devil himself is standing in the corner or behind us or on the ceiling. He’s so afraid he shakes like a leaf, they’re horrible. Even though I know better, I still often think he’s awake during them, but sees something else around us that I don’t. Because of how he can interact with me. He never remembers the next morning and I’m so grateful for that. I don’t know what he sees that’s so horrifying but I do know I’ve never seen another human as scared as he is during them. It’s such a helpless feeling as a parent dealing with these. I myself have sleep paralysis and his father sleepwalks so there’s also the guilt that we caused this for him. You’re girl and yourself are definitely not alone.
My 8 year old has them and has had them for a while now, he don’t get them as often as he used to but I just learned there’s nothing I can really do except let him go through it and just follow him around the house while he is freaking out to make sure he don’t accidentally walk out the door, but he had one last night and told me it won’t go away and he can’t sleep that I wouldn’t understand what it is, like the walls are getting bigger so I Google it and this is what I found was your blog and other answers.
We have a 20 year old daughter who, when she was around 7 started having night terrors. It was the craziest thing I’d witnessed. She would run through the house screaming and crying like something was after her. She would hide in corners and scream. When we would approach her she would take off running through the house again. It would last for an hour sometimes. Thankfully those stopped but we started over and now have a 5 year old experiencing them. His are nothing like hers but he seems to speak a different language. I can tell he is trying to talk but his words don’t make sense. It’s not a mumble it is words but it’s almost like the syllables are transposed. Still that’s not it but the easiest way to explain it. It’s very strange. I think all us mommas can do is pray for each other’s families that this phase is short lived for our babies. It’s difficult to watch!
Im an older sister of a very hyper and silly 8 year old boy- it calms my heart that he isnt the only one to experience these night terrors… as just now i wanted to search for answers these terrors began around a month ago and happen to be almost every night at the same time… its quite frightening because he sits there struggling asking us if we “love or hate” him… he sits up or lays down and outright cries to help him- he doesnt recall them but they are so unlike him… tonights terror had began with him screaming at the top of his lungs “help me!” I quickly went to hold him as usual and he began holding onto me with a very tight grip weeping… he continued to cry out and ask if i loved him and i told him yes- the weirdest thing that differs from it all is that he heard me – his eyes were wide open and mostly red- i took him into the restroom to wipe his face – as the terror was getting too traumatizing for me and our littles… and i asked him “what was he scared of” to which he looked me dead in the eye- and then looked around frantically only to begin screaming help again… i had no idea what to do but i eventually got him to lay down again.
My sons first night terror was when he was just a baby. Screaming, inconsolable. I called my MIL and by the time she got to our house it passed. He spent the night at their house once and had one, they didnt know what was wrong so they took him to the ER(he was about 1.5) He’s now 7 years old. He has them a few times a year, especially when he’s sick or just over-exhausted. He doesn’t scream anymore, just physically frightened with huge dilated pupils. When younger, he’d talk about the “shapes getting bigger”. Now it’s talking and apologies for being “mean” absolutely gut wrenching to hear those words come out of your child’s mouth especially when they aren’t even fully awake to understand what they’re saying.
I pray over him every single time during it and after again once he falls back asleep. Scripture lullabies to help rid whatever is causing it as well.
I’m going to reintroduce magnesium before bed to see if that helps to relax him. But always, pray.