Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Night terrors are episodes of fear, flailing and screaming while asleep. Night terrors often are paired with sleepwalking.

Although night terrors are more common in children, they also can affect adults. A night terror episode usually lasts only a few minutes.

Night terrors are relatively rare, affecting only a small percentage of children — often between ages 4 and 12 — and a smaller percentage of adults. However frightening, night terrors aren’t usually a cause for concern. Most children outgrow night terrors by adolescence.