Sleep terror

What it means

Autonomic arousal, screaming, sweating, crying, outbursts during sleep, usually no recollection at the individual level; typically observed by others.

Sleep terrors are more common in children and are often observed by care-givers. Sleep terrors may occur in individuals who are sleepwalking.

Rare diseases that can present with this1

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Night terror · Pavor nocturnus · Sleep terrors