Cause Of Night Terrors

The causes of night terrors are not well understood, but as a form of dream they are thought to be only a bare “reflection of person’s unconsciousness” (Schacter). Night terrors provide our awareness a possibility to bring back its stability by balancing the subconscious affects in our lives and neutralizing the stress accumulated during the normal working day. The physical explanation to the strange events of night terrors lies in the fact that before a person deeply falls asleep his/her brain waves begin regular alpha rhythms, indicating a relaxed state. While rhythms are being synchronized the inevitable wavelengths mismatches occur- they are the source for the brain to create phantasmagoric and also terrifying pictures (Barclay). There is a psychological connection of a person’s mental state to the kind of night dreams he/she has. One of the ideas in the research shows that the mentally unstable people (which may include permanent and temporary instability, caused, for example, by sickness or some psychological trauma) experience more vivid and long-lasting night terrors. When looking at a

In adults, night terrors are usually more severe and often accompany other sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleep apnea. Insomnia means that you regularly have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or you may wake up too early. Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing is interrupted periodically as you sleep. Sleep apnea is usually caused by the back of the tongue or tissue from the throat area blocking the airway when you are asleep (Barclay). In these cases, medical intervention may help. Insomnia is usually treated with medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or a change in bedtime habits and routine. Sleep apnea can be treated with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, an oral device, or in some cases, surgery may have to