Night Terror - Genetic and Cultural Features of Night Terrors

Genetic and Cultural Features of Night Terrors

There is some evidence that a predisposition to night terrors and other parasomnia disorders can be congenital. Individuals frequently report that past family members have had either episodes of sleep terrors or sleepwalking. In some studies, a 10-fold increase in the prevalence of the disorder in first-degree biological relatives has been observed -- however, the exact link to inheritance is not known. In addition, some laboratory findings suggest that sleep deprivation and having a fever can increase the likelihood of a night terror episode occurring. Special consideration must be used when the subject suffers from narcolepsy, as there may be a link between the disorders. There have been no findings that show a cultural difference between manifestations of Sleep Terror Disorder, though it is thought that the significance and cause of sleep terrors differ within cultures. Also, older children and adults provide highly detailed and descriptive images associated with their sleep terrors than younger children, who either cannot recall or only vaguely remember. Sleep terrors in children are also more likely to occur in males than females; in adults, the ratio between sexes are the same.

Though the symptoms of night terrors in adolescents and adults are similar, the etiology, prognosis, and treatment are qualitatively different. There is some evidence that suggests that night terrors can occur if the sufferer does not eat a proper diet, does not get the appropriate amount or quality of sleep (e.g. sleep apnea), or is enduring stressful events in his or her life. Adult night terrors are much less common, and often respond best to treatments that rectify causes of poor quality or quantity of sleep. There is no scientific evidence of a link between night terrors and mental illness. There is some evidence of a link between adult night terrors and hypoglycemia. According to Carranza and Dill (2004), some adult night terror sufferers share some characteristics with depressed individuals, e.g., "inhibition of aggression, self-directed anger, passivity, anxiety, impaired memory, and the ability to ignore pain."