Herbie Murray
Screaming in your sleep is a symptom of night terrors, a type of parasomnia or sleep disorder that involves physical events or experiences that disrupt sleep. Night terrors are recurring episodes where one might cry out, move around erratically, or show other signs of distress while asleep. They are usually caused by fear and agitation from dreams, and can wake the sleeper from a deep sleep. They can also cause the sleeper to feel fear for several minutes after waking up. Night terrors are more common in children, but they can also occur in adults.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of sleep disorder | Parasomnia, a sleep disorder that involves physical events or experiences that disrupt sleep |
| Other names | Night terrors, sleep terrors |
| Occurrence | More common in children, but also occurs in adults |
| Symptoms | Screaming, shouting, crying, flailing, moving around erratically, showing other signs of distress, sleepwalking, sleep talking, sleep eating |
| Duration | Usually brief (30 seconds to a few minutes), but can last up to 30 minutes for children |
| Causes | Underlying conditions such as mood-related mental health issues, trauma, chronic stress, breathing issues, restless leg syndrome, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption |
| Treatment | No specific treatment, but addressing underlying conditions and improving sleep hygiene may help |
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What You'll Learn
Night terrors
During a night terror, individuals will often yell, scream, or attempt to speak, but such speech is frequently incomprehensible. They also usually exhibit rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, and profuse sweating. In some cases, individuals may engage in more elaborate motor activity, such as thrashing their limbs, which may include punching, swinging, or fleeing motions. There is a sense that these individuals are trying to protect themselves and escape from a possible threat of bodily injury.
In adults, night terrors are less common, with a prevalence of only 2.2%. However, they usually indicate an underlying mental health condition, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorder. Adults may also be more injury-prone during night terror episodes, as many people suddenly get out of bed when they occur.
If you or someone you know is experiencing night terrors, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider or sleep specialist for help in managing the condition.
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Sleep paralysis
Screaming in your sleep could be indicative of a parasomnia—a sleep disorder characterised by behaviours or events that disrupt sleep. Parasomnias include sleep terrors, sleepwalking, confusional arousals, and sleep paralysis. Sleep terrors, in particular, usually involve frightening screams, thrashing, and kicking. They are often accompanied by a racing heart rate, dilated pupils, fast breathing, and sweating.
People who experience sleep paralysis may try to scream but are only able to make a moaning sound. They might feel that they are screaming loudly, but the sound produced is not a scream. Some people who experience sleep paralysis are aware that they are in that state and try to call out to someone else in the room to wake them up and help them snap out of it.
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Sleep-related hallucinations
Screaming in your sleep could be indicative of a parasomnia—a sleep disorder characterised by undesired events that occur during sleep. One such parasomnia is sleep terrors, which involve frightening screams, thrashing, and kicking. Sleep terrors usually last about 30 seconds but can continue for a few minutes. They are often difficult to wake someone up from.
Sleep hallucinations are fairly common, with one-third of people reporting them. They are more common in teens and young adults and tend to decrease with age. They are also more common in women and people with narcolepsy. Sleep-related hallucinations may occur with sleep paralysis, where your muscles are immobile and you are unable to move. This combination can be frightening. If you are experiencing hallucinations alongside severe daytime sleepiness, you may have narcolepsy, and you should consult a doctor.
If sleep hallucinations are causing sleep disruption or anxiety, a doctor may prescribe medication to help. They may also suggest lifestyle changes, such as relaxation techniques, meditation, conscious relaxation, or other calming practices. Maintaining good sleep hygiene by keeping your bedroom uncluttered, dark, and cool can also be beneficial.
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REM sleep behaviour disorder
Screaming in your sleep could be indicative of a parasomnia, or sleep disorder, such as sleep terrors or REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD). While sleep talking or somniloquy is very common and usually harmless, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder or health condition. Sleep terrors usually involve frightening screams, thrashing, and kicking, and it is hard to wake someone who is experiencing them.
Diagnosis of RBD requires an in-laboratory sleep study with video recording, which helps confirm abnormal behaviours during REM sleep and excludes other sleep disorders. If you believe that you or someone you know may have RBD, it is important to consult a sleep specialist or doctor.
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Stress and travel
Screaming in your sleep can be a symptom of sleep terrors, also known as night terrors. Sleep terrors are a type of parasomnia, which is a sleep disorder characterised by behaviours or events that disrupt sleep. While night terrors are more common in children, they can also occur in adults.
If you or your loved one is experiencing night terrors, there are several strategies that may help:
Travelling can be exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially if you are dealing with busy schedules, long journeys, or unfamiliar environments. Stress is a potential trigger for night terrors, so finding ways to manage it while travelling is important. Here are some tips to help you:
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Stick to a consistent sleep and wake-up time, even while travelling across time zones. This can help regulate your body's internal clock and improve sleep quality.
- Create a relaxing sleep environment: Ensure your accommodation has favourable lighting and minimal noise for sleep. If necessary, use earplugs or a white noise machine to block out disruptive sounds.
- Limit electronic device use before bed: Avoid staring at your phone, laptop, or TV right before bedtime. The blue light emitted by these devices can interfere with your sleep hormones. Instead, opt for a warm bath or shower, or read a book to relax.
- Beware of caffeine consumption: Caffeine can trigger night terrors, so limit your intake, especially within 5 hours of bedtime. Replace coffee with caffeine-free tea, lemon water, or other non-caffeinated beverages.
- Practise relaxation techniques: If you feel stressed while travelling, try deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle stretches to help you relax. These practices can also be incorporated into your bedtime routine to promote better sleep.
- Address underlying conditions: If you have underlying mental health or medical conditions that may be contributing to night terrors, seek professional help. A therapist or doctor can provide guidance and treatment to address these issues.
Remember, it is always a good idea to consult a sleep specialist or healthcare professional if you have concerns about your sleep patterns or if night terrors are significantly impacting your life.
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Frequently asked questions
Screaming in your sleep could be a sign of night terrors, a type of parasomnia or sleep disorder.
Night terrors are recurring episodes where you might cry out, move around, or show other signs of distress while asleep. They are caused by the fear and agitation one feels in a dream.
Apart from screaming, other signs of night terrors include sitting up in bed, flailing, shouting, and crying. You may also experience a racing heart rate, dilated pupils, fast breathing, and sweating.
The exact cause of night terrors is unknown, but they may be associated with mental health conditions, breathing issues, stress, and other factors that impact sleep.
To prevent night terrors, focus on improving your sleep hygiene and creating a peaceful sleep environment. This includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding stimulants like caffeine, and reducing exposure to blue light from electronic devices before bed.
