AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Sleep terrors are a disorder of arousal, meaning they occur during N3 sleep, the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.

Detailed explanation-2: -Night terrors usually happen about 2 or 3 hours after a child falls asleep, when sleep moves from the deepest stage of non-REM sleep to lighter REM sleep. Usually this transition is a smooth one. But sometimes, a child becomes upset and frightened-and that fear reaction is a night terror.

Detailed explanation-3: -Night terrors can cause severe distress, followed by a state of panic and a sensation of helplessness. Most episodes last 45-90 minutes and are most common as the individual passes through stages 3 and 4 non-rapid eye movement sleep.

Detailed explanation-4: -The cause is unknown but night terrors are often triggered by fever, lack of sleep or periods of emotional tension, stress or conflict. Night terrors are like nightmares, except that nightmares usually occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and are most common in the early morning.

Detailed explanation-5: -Night terrors are most common during the first third of the night, often between midnight and 2 a.m. Children often scream and are very frightened and confused. They thrash around violently and are often not aware of their surroundings. The child may not be able to respond to being talked to, comforted, or awakened.