Child Wakes Up Screaming? Doctors Explain 'Sleep Terrors' and How to Handle Them

• Children waking up screaming, trembling, and crying uncontrollably may be experiencing 'sleep terrors', not nightmares.
• Sleep terror is a sleep-related disorder common in children aged 3 to 12, where they appear awake but are still in a deep sleep state.
• Incidents typically occur within the first few hours of sleep, often between 11 PM and midnight, with children unresponsive to parents.
• Causes include fatigue, insufficient sleep, stress, illness, routine changes, or a family history of sleep terrors.
• Parents should not forcibly wake the child; instead, ensure safety, gently guide them back to bed, and establish a regular sleep routine.