Before experiencing it firsthand, I had little awareness of what a night terror truly entailed. Like many, I may have conflated it with a nightmare, but I’ve come to realize there’s a significant distinction between the two. Night terrors are far more intense and perplexing than typical nightmares.
Our daughter was just 5 years old when she had her first episode. After a few hours of sleep, we were startled awake by her frantic cries of, “Mommy! Mooommmy!” Assuming she was merely having a nightmare, I rushed to her side to offer comfort. However, what I encountered was unlike any bad dream scenario. She was sitting upright, visibly distressed, and screaming. My husband joined me, and we thought she might still be in a dream state, so we turned on the light.
Imagine the sheer terror of witnessing your child bolt upright in bed, eyes wide open, repeating your name in desperation, yet completely oblivious to your presence. I positioned myself in her line of sight, hoping to connect with her. Unfortunately, she seemed to gaze through me, unable to focus, while continuing her panicked cries.
In vain, I attempted to awaken her, but nothing worked. Panic set in, and I found myself saying to my husband, “What do we do? I don’t know what to do.” Tears began to well up as I felt utterly powerless. If I had believed in demonic possession, I might have considered summoning a priest for an exorcism. In another time, our daughter could have faced dire consequences for this behavior. Eventually, she calmed down and fell back asleep, with no memory of the event the next morning.
The following day, I recounted the experience to a friend, who quickly identified it as a night terror, explaining her own experiences with her sons. She shared a particularly vivid memory of one son having an episode while they were camping, forcing her to hold him in the car as he screamed for her. This revelation opened the floodgates; I learned that several friends had similar stories to tell.
How was I unaware of this phenomenon? Night terrors are yet another aspect of parenting that many do not discuss, much like the realities of round ligament pain or postpartum complications. While there’s a chance your child may never experience night terrors, it’s crucial to be informed so you can recognize the signs if they do occur. Rest assured, there’s no need for an exorcist.
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Summary:
Night terrors are intense episodes that can confuse and frighten parents. Unlike nightmares, children experiencing night terrors may seem awake but remain unresponsive. Understanding this condition can help alleviate parental anxiety and clarify what to expect during such incidents. It’s important to know that a night terror does not require extreme measures; simply being aware of this common childhood experience is enough.
Keyphrase: night terrors in children
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