Night terrors: what they are and how to cope with them
Night terrors: what are they? If you ever wake up screaming or have somebody telling you that you were freaking out in the night but have no recollection of it, you might be suffering from night terrors.
Everybody gets bad dreams, and often, people wake up feeling shaken. The main difference with night terrors is that this happens a lot, and it's not necessarily connected to a dream. Some people remember their night terrors, while others don't realise they're experiencing them until their partner tells them. But what can you do about it? Here is our guide on how to deal with night terrors.
See a doctor
If you get night terrors frequently, you should see a doctor. It may be the case that an underlying condition, like sleep apnea, anxiety or depression, is causing it. A doctor should be able to provide treatment for the condition and subsequently, your night terrors will improve. Your doctor may also suggest some form of therapy if they suspect that a mental condition is causing your night terrors.
Set up your bed for a good night's sleep
One of the main causes of night terrors is fatigue - and ironically, night terrors can get in the way of sleep, causing even more fatigue! The best way to act on this is to break the cycle and make some changes to your sleeping environment and routine.
A lot of the time, your bed could be causing your sleep issues. Do you still have the same bed that you've had since you moved out of your parents' home? If so, it's likely this isn't suitable for your body anymore. At Reinforced Beds, we stock a range of beds that are specially designed to help you sleep. Our frames are strong and suitable for people of all sizes. We offer super firm mattresses (like our Brick Mattress) too, which stop your lower back from collapsing and improve your intake of oxygen while you sleep.
What to say to other people
Night terrors can be scary for other people to witness. If you share your room with someone, make them aware that you have night terrors. The best thing for them to do is to let the night terrors run their course, and not to try to wake you up - as long as you are out of harm's way. Night terrors are scary for anyone involved, but they in themselves won't harm you.