Sleep Terrors (Night Terrors)

A healthcare provider will diagnose night terrors after a detailed history and a physical exam to learn more about you or your symptoms or gather observations from a parent or sleeping partner. Treatment isn’t necessary if you only have infrequent episodes, like a few night terrors a year. But you should see a healthcare provider if they happen frequently, like a few times each week.

You won’t usually need additional testing. But your provider may offer tests like an electroencephalogram (EEG) or overnight sleep study (polysomnography) to rule out conditions with similar symptoms or triggers like obstructive sleep apnea.