Is This a Night Terror?

Not night terrors at her age, and they don't usually talk, but wake up and are fine, then go back to sleep. Could it be a form of sleepwalking? Sometimes, people who are asleep will respond to questions and can do things like going to the restroom.

Maybe she is going through some rappid development or growth right now, which can cause sleep disruption. You might try to find out if she remembers it once she gets up in the morning, if she does, it could just be nightmares, and if not, she may be sleepwalking.

M.

If she has any recollection of it, it's not night terrors. Night terrors appear to be completely harmless to the child and most disturbing to the parents who are helpless to control the screaming and discontent. Our daughter (2) had an issue months ago but hasn't had any since.

Here's how the American Academy of Pediatrics distinguishes the two (night terrors and nightmares):
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/presch...

I agree with the previous. It's not night terrors. For us, the hallmark of night terrors was that we couldn't understand a thing our daughter said even though we can normally understand her completely. Sounds like she's having nightmares instead. In the light of day, try figuring out what is scaring her. You can then make "moster spray" or whatever you need to call it. Basically, water and a couple drops of lavendar essential oil (which is calming on it's own) and then she can spray it before she goes to sleep for the night. Trader Joe's also carries "next to godliness" which is a room freshener that is calming.

No, night terrors are when the child is younger.
At this age, it is typically "night mares." Night mares are different than night terrors.

At this age, they also have night-time fears, or fears of the dark etc. It is developmental based and they have their imaginations, which we cannot control.

Is she having any kind of 'stress' in her life? How is things at school? Any different things happening in her life? Peer problems? Kids at school telling scary stories? (this happened once to my daughter, a kid was telling the other kid 'ghost' stories etc. and my girl would get scared at night). Stress, can also cause night mares in a kid. So talk with her and see how she is feeling overall, in all parts of her life.
How are her Teachers or care takers?

all the best, just some ideas,
Susan

Watch her TV intake. I've found that it usually comes from that.

It could be. Despite what some others have posted, night terrors can happen at any age, even to adults. My daughter who is now 9 has had issues with them since she was about 18 months. The first time it happened I was scared to death b/c she was so young, I almost called the paramedics... I thought maybe she was having a seizure!

One of the moms who posted is correct about how if she can remember the episode then it probably was a nightmare, and not a night terror. And yes, it is so hard on parents. My daughter cries out for me, is absolutely terrified, even with me right there... and touching her to try to soothe her actually makes it worse!!! My daughter can't remember them either and also will get up and use the bathroom and can respond to us in a limited capacity. It usually subsides after about 20 minutes, when she falls back into a normal sleep cycle. I have learned to sit paitently by her side and every so often tell her I am there for her, that it will be OK, but this is more for me I think. I hate them!!!

We found that being overtired and falling asleep very quickly can often be a trigger later in the night, which is pretty much out of our control sometimes, and a growth spurt might factor in too. They occur very rarely these days, but we did actually have one over the weekend.

Hang in there, just know that she will be alright... it's just such a terrible feeling not to be able to comfort your child when they are scared.

Night terrors can continue into adulthood. However, according to every article I've read on the topic, and our family doctor, the person having the night terror is not awake, cannot respond, and typically doesn't remember anything. Terrible as they seem for the sleeper, they are really worse for those awake and nearby. Our son had them and they seem to have stopped (fingers crossed). However, I know a woman whose sister still has them and she is in her thirties now.

In your daughter's case, maybe a change in the bedtime routine would help. Good luck!