Night terrors , also known as sleep terrors, are a type of parasomnia that occur during non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These episodes typically happen in the first few hours of sleep and can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Night terrors are more common in children but can also occur in adults. During a night terror episode, the person may suddenly sit up in bed , scream , and appear to be in a state of panic . They may also thrash about, sweat profusely , and have a rapid heart rate. However, unlike nightmares, they are not typically responsive to attempts to comfort them, and they may not even remember the episode the next day . Night terrors are caused by a disruption in the normal sleep cycle. They are more likely to occur if the person is sleep deprived or if they have an irregular sleep schedule. Other factors that may contribute to night terrors include stress, anxiety, and certain medications. While night terrors can be frightening to witness, they