- sleep disruption silimar to a nightmare, but much more dramatic most often between 4-12 years
- sudden fear reaction which occurs during the transition to and from deep non-REM sleep while nightmares occur during REM sleep
- occurs 2-3 hours after falling asleep when the child suddenly awakens in distress and may thrash about, scream, cry
- child returns to sleep with no memory of the event the following morning
- often occurs when a child is stressed, overtired, on new medication, or sleeping in a new environment
- do not awaken the child during the event but rather allow them to calm on their own