Night terrors & sleepwalking
They can look frightening from the outside, but the person is asleep, usually unharmed, and most children grow out of them.
By the numbers
How common night terrors and sleepwalking are.
Children
Adults
Families
What is a night terror?
Screaming or thrashing while still asleep.
During a night terror, a person may suddenly sit up, scream, cry, thrash or jump out of bed. Their eyes may be open, but they are not truly awake. They usually don’t remember it in the morning.
Night terrors usually happen in the first part of the night, during deep non-REM sleep. Most last a few minutes, though some go on longer.
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- A glassy-eyed or terrified look
- Fast breathing, sweating or a racing heart
- Kicking, thrashing or getting out of bed
- Not recognising you, or pushing you away
- Screaming, shouting or crying
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The NHS says night terrors can last up to 15 minutes and may happen more than once a night. Pediatricians say episodes can last up to 45 minutes, but most are much shorter.
Most people fall back asleep afterwards without fully waking.
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How they differ
- Night terror: deep non-REM sleep, early in the night, stays asleep, no memory
- Nightmare: REM sleep, later in the night, wakes up fully, remembers the dream
What is sleepwalking?
Getting up and moving around while still asleep.
Sleepwalking is when you get up and move around while you’re asleep. The person often has their eyes open and a blank look, but can’t respond normally.
It usually happens early in the night and lasts a few minutes. The person often goes back to bed by themselves and won’t remember it.
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Routine actions are most common, like walking around the house or getting dressed. Less often, people eat, leave the house or do other complex things.
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Like night terrors and sleepwalking, sleep talking happens during deep sleep. It is usually harmless.
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Sleepwalking tends to run in families and can happen several times in one night in older children and teens.
Why they happen
Half asleep, half awake.
Both happen when someone partly wakes from deep sleep. Part of the brain is awake enough to move, but the rest is still asleep. The exact reason isn’t known.
Deep sleep is most common early in the night. That’s why these episodes usually happen in the first few hours after falling asleep.
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In a study of nearly 2,000 Canadian children, the more parents who had sleepwalked, the more likely a child was to sleepwalk. A parent’s history also predicted night terrors.
About one in three toddlers with night terrors went on to sleepwalk later in childhood. Researchers think the two are linked forms of the same underlying pattern.
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In children, night terrors and sleepwalking are a common part of development. Most children grow out of them by their teens.
Common triggers
Things that can make an episode more likely.
Anything that deepens or disturbs sleep can set off an episode in someone who is prone to them. Keeping a sleep diary can help you spot your own triggers.
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Lack of sleep and being very tired can trigger both night terrors and sleepwalking.
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Being unwell or having a high temperature can trigger episodes, especially in children.
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Stress, anxiety and emotional tension are common triggers. Helping with worries during the day may reduce episodes.
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Sudden noises at night or needing to pee can affect deep sleep and set off a night terror.
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Alcohol is a trigger for both. In a UK survey, drinking alcohol at bedtime was strongly linked with night terrors in adults.
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Sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements can disturb deep sleep and raise the risk of episodes. Treating them can help.
Night terrors and sleepwalking in adults
Less common, and often linked to something else.
Adults can have night terrors and sleepwalk too, though it’s less common than in children. In adults, they more often point to something else going on, like stress, sleep apnea, PTSD or an anxiety condition.
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A large U.S. survey found that adults with depression or OCD were more likely to sleepwalk. The researchers thought disturbed sleep was part of the link.
A UK survey found adult night terrors were linked with choking feelings at night, sleep apnea, bedtime alcohol and nightmares at least once a month.
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Adults may be more likely to get hurt than children, because many jump suddenly out of bed. Thrashing can lead to falls and bruises.
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A bed partner is often the one who notices episodes. Their description can help a provider work out what’s happening.
What to do in the moment
Stay calm, keep them safe, and let it pass.
During a night terror
- Stay calm. The person isn’t aware of what’s happening.
- Make sure they’re safe, and move anything they could hurt themselves on.
- Don’t try to wake them. They may not recognise you and can get more upset.
- Don’t hold them down unless they might hurt themselves or others.
- Speak slowly, quietly and calmly if you speak at all.
- Stay nearby until they settle back to sleep.
If you find someone sleepwalking
- Gently guide them back to bed.
- If you must wake them, do it gently. Sudden waking can leave them confused, scared or upset.
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If night terrors happen at about the same time each night, the NHS suggests waking the person 15 minutes before, every night for 2 weeks. This may stop them.
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Most people don’t remember the episode. There’s no need to make a big deal of it, especially with children.
Making the home safer
Simple steps to prevent injuries.
Most episodes are harmless, but injuries can happen. A few changes can make nights safer for everyone.
Safety checklist
- Block stairs, using stair gates for young children
- Clear the floor of things to trip over
- Don’t let a child who sleepwalks sleep on a top bunk
- Fit door alarms if there’s a risk of leaving the house
- Keep doors and windows closed or locked
- Lock away knives, tools and other sharp things
- Move bedside tables and other hard objects away from the bed
Helping the whole household
Better sleep habits, less worry, and support for carers.
Most episodes get better on their own. Good sleep habits and less stress can lower the chances of an episode for everyone in the home.
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- A relaxing bedtime routine
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening
- Keeping regular bed and wake times
- Making sure everyone gets enough sleep
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Record episodes, bedtimes, sleep quality, caffeine or alcohol, and tiredness or stress. This can help find triggers.
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Watching an episode can be frightening, especially the first time. It’s okay to share night duties, ask for help, and talk to someone about how it affects you.
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New places, late nights and excitement can all mean less sleep, which is a common trigger. A quick word with the adult in charge helps.
When and where to get help
Signs it’s worth seeing a provider.
Talk with your clinical provider if
- A child starts having night terrors after age 5, or still has them after age 12
- Night terrors or sleepwalking begin in adulthood, since in adults they often point to something else
- Episodes happen often, such as a few times a week
- Someone gets hurt, or you worry they could
- There are other signs, like snoring, mouth breathing, pauses in breathing or heavy daytime sleepiness
- Sleep is poor for the person or the household
Treatment usually isn’t needed for a few episodes a year. When it is, it depends on the cause. A provider may check for sleep apnea, and talking therapies like CBT can help.
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Sources
- NHS (UK National Health Service). Night terrors and nightmares
- NHS (UK National Health Service). Sleepwalking
- Cleveland Clinic. Night Terrors (Sleep Terrors)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), HealthyChildren.org. Nightmares, Night Terrors & Sleepwalking in Children: How Parents Can Help
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH. How Sleep Works: Sleep Phases and Stages
- Petit D. et al., peer-reviewed study (2015). Childhood Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors: A Longitudinal Study of Prevalence and Familial Aggregation (JAMA Pediatrics)
- Stallman H.M., Kohler M., peer-reviewed meta-analysis (2016). Prevalence of Sleepwalking: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PLOS ONE)
- Ohayon M.M. et al., peer-reviewed study (1999). Night terrors, sleepwalking, and confusional arousals in the general population: their frequency and relationship to other sleep and mental disorders (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry)
- Ohayon M.M. et al., peer-reviewed study (2012). Prevalence and comorbidity of nocturnal wandering in the U.S. adult general population (Neurology)
This guide is for education and self-care. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. Please talk to a counselor or clinical provider about your health. Reviewed October 2026.
