Having night terrors can be both frightening and disorienting, especially if you don’t remember them the next day. But did you know that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and night terrors sometimes occur together?

Scientists don’t really know exactly why this happens, but some evidence suggests that sleep apnea might trigger night terrors. Here’s what you need to know about sleep apnea and night terrors, including how they may be related and what to do if one or both conditions affect you or your child.

What Are Night Terrors?

Night terrors, sometimes called sleep terrors, are a parasomnia — a type of sleep disorder that involves unwanted movements and behaviors that happen while falling asleep, during sleep, or while waking up.

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Night terrors might include sudden episodes of screaming, panic, or movement during deep sleep. They’re different from nightmares, which are frightening dreams. People who have night terrors may have little or no memory of the event after they wake up.

Night Terrors in Adults

In adults, night terrors can occur at different times during the sleep cycle. Adults are also more likely than children to remember some of what happened. They may feel embarrassed or unsure about how to manage their night terrors.

Night terrors can sometimes lead to dangerous behavior and serious injury, especially if a person tries to leave their home or drive during an episode. The person may also harm others while trying to fight or escape, which can affect their relationships.

Night Terrors in Children

Night terrors often begin between ages 4 and 12 and are more common in children than in adults. The episodes usually happen during the first third of the night, and a child may also talk in their sleep and sleepwalk. Most children outgrow night terrors as they enter their teen years, but some continue to have them into adulthood.

In children, there doesn’t seem to be a connection between night terrors and mental health conditions. In adults, however, night terrors may occur along with some mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You may be tempted to wake or comfort a child who is having a night terror, but this could make the episode worse or cause it to last even longer. Instead, stay nearby and make sure the child is safe. Most night terrors end within a few minutes.

What Is the Link Between Sleep Apnea and Night Terrors?

Sleep apnea can cause sleep fragmentation (repeated disruptions in sleep), which may trigger night terrors, especially in children. However, evidence about how often these two conditions occur together is limited, and OSA and night terrors can also occur separately.

One study of 110 people with non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias, including night terrors, found that sleep apnea was the most common co-occurring sleep disorder. Nearly 46 percent of the participants had sleep apnea.

Research also suggests that sleep apnea may trigger chronic parasomnias in some people. Treating OSA may help reduce or resolve parasomnia symptoms, but more research is needed to understand the relationship between sleep apnea and specific parasomnias such as night terrors.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea and Night Terrors?

Some symptoms can occur with both sleep apnea and night terrors. Others are more specific to one condition. Here is a comparison.

When Might You Need a Medical Evaluation?

Night terrors are usually a benign condition, especially in children. However, sometimes these episodes may be related to an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. For instance, night terrors in adults may be related to a mental health condition or another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.

Adults who develop night terrors for the first time should talk with a healthcare provider about whether they need an evaluation. If sleep apnea is contributing to the night terrors, treating it may help reduce or resolve the episodes.

It’s important for parents to keep a sleep journal to document night terrors in children. Adults can also ask a partner to record details if they witness an episode. This information can help a sleep specialist make a diagnosis and recommend treatment if needed.

Your provider may ask how the episodes are affecting your daily life and about any medications or therapies you’re using.

Certain signs, symptoms, or patterns may warrant medical attention. Talk with a healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms or patterns in yourself or your child:

• Night terrors lasting longer than 30 minutes or happening more than once a week
• Drooling, stiffening, or jerking during an episode
• Safety concerns or disruptions to other family members
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue (tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest)
• Loud snoring, gagging, or choking noises during sleep
• Regular feelings of distress, fear, or stress during the day

Untreated sleep apnea can affect daily functioning and health. Night terrors can also create safety risks if an episode involves potentially dangerous behavior. A healthcare provider can help determine whether you have night terrors, sleep apnea, or another condition and recommend ways to help you get better sleep.

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On MySleepApneaTeam, people share their experiences with sleep apnea, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you had night terrors with sleep apnea, and if so, what has helped you manage them? Let others know in the comments below.