Abnormal Sleep Patterns

  • Non-rapid eye movement (NREM)
  • Four stages of sleep

Nightmares

  • Occur during REM sleep
  • Child will wake up oriented and will remember the dream
  • Reluctant to return to sleep
  • Easy to arouse

Night Terrors

  • Occur during stage 4 NREM sleep, first third of the night
  • The child is screaming, unresponsive for a few minutes, then falls back asleep again, and will not recollect the episode in the morning
  • Parents should provide reassurance during the episode and not vigorously that may awaken the child
  • Rapid return to sleep

Sleepwalking and Sleep TalkingY

  • Stage 4 NREM sleep events, with no recalling in the morning

(usually comes at same time from sleep pattern - 4th nrem)