and Restless: Dealing with Night Terrors in Your Late Teens

Title: Restless: Dealing with Night Terrors in Your Late Teens

As we enter our late teens, we often think we have outgrown the fears and anxieties that plagued us as children. However, many young adults still struggle with night terrors, a type of parasomnia that causes intense fear and distress during sleep. Night terrors can be a frightening and disruptive experience, affecting both our physical and mental well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the causes and symptoms of night terrors, as well as strategies to cope and effectively manage them in our late teens.

What Are Night Terrors?

Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a type of parasomnia, a category of sleep disorders that involve abnormal movements, emotions, behaviors, perceptions, and dreams. Unlike nightmares, which occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, night terrors happen during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage. This means that the person experiencing night terrors is not fully awake and may not remember the episode in the morning.

Symptoms of Night Terrors

During a night terror episode, a person may experience intense fear, screaming, crying, sweating, and rapid breathing. They may also exhibit behaviors such as kicking, thrashing, or flailing their arms. These episodes can last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour and typically occur in the first few hours of sleep.

Causes of Night Terrors

The exact cause of night terrors is still unknown, but they are believed to be related to an over-arousal of the central nervous system during sleep. Some factors that may contribute to night terrors include stress, sleep deprivation, certain medications, and underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

How Night Terrors Affect Late Teens

Night terrors are often associated with young children, but they can also occur in late teens and even adults. The experience of night terrors can be particularly distressing for young adults, who are already going through significant changes and stressors. It can also have a significant impact on their overall well-being, affecting their sleep quality, mood, and daily functioning. It can also lead to feelings of embarrassment, shame, and isolation, as night terrors are not well understood by society and may be perceived as a sign of weakness or immaturity.

and Restless: Dealing with Night Terrors in Your Late Teens

Coping Strategies for Night Terrors

While there is no specific treatment for night terrors, there are several strategies that can help individuals cope and manage their symptoms. These include:

1. Establish a regular sleep routine: Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help regulate the sleep cycle and reduce the likelihood of night terrors.

2. Reduce stress and anxiety: Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress and promote better sleep.

3. Create a comfortable sleep environment: Ensure that your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool, and that your bed and pillows are comfortable.

4. Avoid triggers: Certain factors such as excessive caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals before bedtime can contribute to night terrors. Avoiding these triggers can help reduce the frequency and intensity of episodes.

5. Seek therapy: If night terrors are significantly impacting your life, it may be helpful to seek therapy. A therapist can help you identify and address any underlying issues that may be contributing to your night terrors.

6. Educate yourself and others: Educating yourself and others about night terrors can help reduce feelings of shame and isolation and create a supportive environment. It is essential to remember that night terrors are a common and treatable sleep disorder.

Dealing with night terrors in our late teens can be challenging, but it is not impossible. By understanding the causes and symptoms and implementing coping strategies, we can effectively manage and reduce the impact of night terrors on our lives.

In conclusion, night terrors are a type of parasomnia that can affect anyone, including late teens. They can be a distressing and disruptive experience, but with the right strategies, we can effectively cope and manage them. It is essential to seek support and educate ourselves and others about this sleep disorder to reduce the stigma and create a more understanding and accepting society.