How Do You Spell NIGHT TERRORS?

1. Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a type of parasomnia disorder that primarily affects children, although they can occur in adults as well. Night terrors are characterized by sudden episodes of extreme fear and terror during sleep. These episodes usually occur in the first few hours of sleep in the deep non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stage.

   During a night terror, the affected individual may experience intense panic, screaming, or thrashing movements. They may also exhibit symptoms such as rapid breathing, a racing heart, dilated pupils, and sweating. Despite appearing awake, individuals experiencing night terrors are generally unaware of their surroundings and are usually unresponsive to attempts at comforting or awakening them. In fact, any attempt to awaken them forcefully can often prolong the episode.

   Night terrors can last for several minutes and may end abruptly, with the individual falling back into a deep sleep. Upon awakening, they usually have little to no memory of the episode, although they may recall feeling a sense of fear or unease. Night terrors can be distressing not only for the person experiencing them but also for others in the household who may witness these episodes.

   While the exact cause of night terrors is unknown, factors such as sleep deprivation, fever, stress, and certain medications may contribute to their occurrence. Treatment for night terrors may involve ensuring a calm sleep environment, establishing a regular sleep routine, managing stress, and in severe cases, medication may be used to reduce the frequency and intensity of these episodes.

2. Pavor nocturnus; a disorder allied to nightmare, occurring in children. The child awakes screaming with fright, the alarm persisting for a time during a state of semiconsciousness or confusion.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for NIGHT TERRORS

The word "night terrors" is derived from two distinct terms, "night" and "terrors".

The term "night" originated from the Old English word "niht", which has Germanic roots. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as "nacht" in German and "natt" in Swedish. The etymology of the word "night" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "nekwt", meaning "night".

The word "terrors" is derived from the Latin word "terror", which means extreme fear or dread. In Latin, "terror" was used to describe a state of great fear or panic. The word "terror" has been adapted into various languages, including English, and continues to be used to convey a similar meaning.