Is This a 'Night Terror'?

[GarfieldsGirl]

Hi, I was wondering if there is anybody about who could help me?

Last night DS1 woke screaming my name. I went into him, he was kneeling up, eyes wide open, pupils massive, he was really upset, screaming, shaking, clenched fists, gritted teeth, but very obviously still asleep. We went through 15 minutes of holding him, trying to calm him, going from 10 seconds of calm, then 20 seconds of the shaking, gritted teeth etc. He was being frightened by things like the colour of DPs clothes. Even after I managed to lay him back down it took a further 5 minutes or so to calm him down enough to 'sleep'. It left me very shaken, and I reluctantly returned to bed in tears.

1. Was this a night terror?
   
   
2. Did we do the right thing by not waking him?
   
   
3. I have heard that 'night terrors' can be related to growth spurts, but can it be related to anything else? i.e. yesterday was his 5th birthday, so obviously very excited, had his party, and then the party of a couple of friends afterwards. Also could excessive party food be a cause?
   
   
4. Will he remember anything about it when he wakes this morning?

[mummydear]

Maybe a night terror, but one thing that caught my attention was the party food thing.

I remeber once giving my DS1 some chocolate as a treat after bath , BIG MISTAKE !!

I had one of the worst nights sleep with him , within 20 mins of him going to sleep he was awake screaming and had a very restless night.

I put if down to the chocolate , so never again late in evening.

DS1 has had night terrors but not to the extent that your son had, I think you were right not to wake him but just comfort him and help him settle back down.

I doubt whether he will remeber much in the morning .

Quite frightening though isn't it ?

[Macdog]

i am 33 years and still have occasional night terrors
it is horrible sensation
dh cuddles + talks to me and eventually his voice gets through and i "come to"
thought it might help you to hear 'from the inside' that talking + cuddling help

[GarfieldsGirl]

Hi, just wanted to say thank you to you both for your replies. I did read them that morning, but was unable to post and internet playing up since then. grrrr! Thank You again!

[angmarie]

my d has night tremors she doesnt have them as much now but I mentioned it to the doctor and they told me to cut down on things with E 's before bedtime , since I have done that it has got better , But she didnt remember anything about them in the morning . i used to find it quite distressing .