Night terrors in adults can be caused by sleep disorders, substance abuse, mental conditions, stress, genetics, and other factors. They are more dangerous than in children and should be diagnosed and treated by a specialist. Bipolar disorder, depression, and other sleep disorders can also induce night terrors.
The few adults who experience night terrors often struggle with other sleep disorders, substance abuse, mental conditions, and stress. A family history of sleep disturbances can also increase the chance of developing night terrors. In children, night terrors often go away with age. In adults, however, potential causes of night terrors may not go away without seeking diagnosis and treatment. Night terrors in adults are also much more dangerous and potentially violent than in children, so it’s important to see a specialist as soon as you become aware of the problem.
Genetics appears to be a significant cause of night terrors in adults. An individual with a family history of sleep disorders is more likely to experience night terrors than other adults. Researchers aren’t entirely sure which genes are responsible for the hereditary nature of this problem, but studies have indeed shown that sleep disturbances are often shared among members of a family.
Night terrors are also often caused by mental conditions, especially bipolar disorder. The correlation is not fully understood. Medications taken for bipolar disorder can sometimes help reduce night terrors.
Depression is another leading cause of night terrors in adults, especially when made worse by anxiety. People facing extreme stress have been known to wake up in the middle of the night screaming, sweating, and out of breath. Such episodes are often called panic attacks, but they can all mirror the same symptoms as night terrors. One should see a sleep specialist to find out if a panic attack should be treated as a night terror.
Other sleep disorders that cause sleep deprivation may be responsible for inducing night terrors. Disorders that disrupt the sleep cycle are classified into a group of sleep disorders known as parasomnias. Night terrors – one of the parasomnias – can be induced by other parasomnias, such as sleep apnea and sleep paralysis.
Night terrors in adults can also be triggered by a number of less common factors, such as migraines, strokes and seizure disorders. Severe fevers are capable of causing night terrors as well, along with hallucinations and delusional thoughts. Head trauma can also cause this problem.
Substance abuse has also been known to cause nightmares. Alcohol abuse, in particular, is a known cause of serial night terrors in adults, and too much caffeine can also increase the risk in some people. Adults can also experience night terrors as an adverse reaction to medications.
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