Night terrors occur during which sleep stage?

Night terrors occur during which sleep stage?

• A. N1
• B. N2
• C. N3
• D. REM

Answer: (C)

Night terrors arise from deep non-REM sleep, the deepest stage often called slow-wave sleep. In this stage the brain shows large delta waves, and the sleeper is difficult to awaken, with abrupt episodes of intense fear, autonomic arousal, and confusion, usually with little or no memory of the event afterward. They tend to occur in the first part of the night. This contrasts with nightmares, which occur during REM sleep and typically involve vivid dream recall upon waking. Understanding that night terrors come from deep sleep helps explain why they feel so disruptive and are not the same as the dreams people remember from REM.

Night terrors arise from deep non-REM sleep, the deepest stage often called slow-wave sleep. In this stage the brain shows large delta waves, and the sleeper is difficult to awaken, with abrupt episodes of intense fear, autonomic arousal, and confusion, usually with little or no memory of the event afterward. They tend to occur in the first part of the night. This contrasts with nightmares, which occur during REM sleep and typically involve vivid dream recall upon waking. Understanding that night terrors come from deep sleep helps explain why they feel so disruptive and are not the same as the dreams people remember from REM.