The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.

Sleep Terrors in Clumps

by Marian
(Spokane, WA)

I am an adult female, 56 yrs old, experiencing sleep terrors more frequently during times of extreme stress, yet sometimes experiencing them for no apparent reason. The experience has frequently occurred in the past when in a strange sleeping environment. During a sleep terror, I may be semi-awake, absolutely sure that someone is trying to kill me or that I must get out of this place!!! Have sat on the edge of a bed, trying to make sense of my locale in the dark, literally almost jumped out a window after carefully figuring out it was a door (wrong!).


Am very careful to have relaxing time before sleep. Once had night terrors 5 times in one night...thankfully this isn't typical for me. It's now been several months.

When sleeping in strange places with others, I feel obliged to warn them that, if I seem disoriented at night, please do not come closer to me, but simply talk to me from a distance so I don't feel like my attacker is moving in for the kill.

Have had night terrors since childhood, and was an early and entertaining sleep-walker/talker in childhood.

Am interested in more information about whether past diagnosis of PTSD and early childhood trauma contribute to this, as well as hypoglycemia as a possible contributor. Mostly, it would be great to not have this any more, though, as per the title, I can go for long periods without any night terros, then have several episodes in a given week or during a month. Am looking forward to learning more. Thank you!

Comments for Sleep Terrors in Clumps

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 09, 2011
 randal king
by: Anonymous

i have had night terrors and sleep walking plus injuring myself for 44years,im looking for help for my disorder.i would greatly appreciate some help,tracking down a specialist.im sick and tired of being told at sleep clinics that i have mild sleep apnea.i need to find a night terror specialist as my night terrors are extreme.and i emphasise with your situation as they are unbearable kind regards randal king

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Stories of Sleep Terrors.



Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.

About This Site

Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.

We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.

In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?

A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:

Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3) that isn't talked about enough. It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.

If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.

More Questions:

Ask | Answer

The Stanford Sleep Book

Stanford Sleep Book Picture

Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.

In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.

Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy

More Sleep Resources

The Zeo

Track Your Own Sleep With Zeo

A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.

Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide

Sleep Paralysis Treatment Book

Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.

Important Disclaimer

Please Note:

The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.

For more info, see our
Terms of Use.