How to Wake Someone Who Is Having a Night Terror

According to the Night Terrors Resource Center, night terrors usually occur fifteen minutes to one hour after going to sleep. This is the time when a person is in the NREM phase of sleep before the deeper REM stage. Night terrors are more common in young children, but adults can have them too. Night terrors are different from nightmares -- in that they occur in stage four of sleep -- whereas nightmares can happen at any stage of the sleep cycle. A night terror typically causes rapid breathing and elevated heart rate. It is alright to wake a person from a night terror -- though some believe it is better not to disturb the person -- as the night terror will end on its own and waking the sleeper might agitate him.

Instructions

• 1

  Move objects out of the way that can injure the person having the night terror. Clear off the night stand and move the lamp a safe distance away.

• 2

  Approach the person having the night terror and wake them gently. Speak in a soothing voice. If the person is confused or agitated, try to calm them. Reassure them that everything is all right.

• 3

  Respond honestly to the person the next morning, if they ask about the night terror. Do not tell them that nothing happened. But don't remind them, if they don't remember.

• 4

  Reassure the person that having night terrors is not abnormal and can happen to anyone. Explain that having a night terror does not mean that he or she has psychological problems.

• 5

  Calm a child to help him sleep after a night terror