My child has night terrors, what should I do?

Question

My 7 1/2 year old son has been having recurring night terrors for about 2 weeks. It always happens between 1h30 and 2h00 after bedtime. He wakes up in a panic, sweating, with his eyes open, his heart down very fast. When we talk to him he answers us, but it doesn't always make sense. The next day, he never remembers anything. He has never done this before. For the last 2 weeks, it's been happening every day or every other day at the most. Can we give him something to help him do it less often? Should I consult his doctor? If so, when? Thank you very much for your answer!

Naji-tom Samaha · Accepted Answer

Hello ma'am, thank you for your question! The first step is to find out if there is an underlying cause. I strongly encourage you to consult a psychologist or psychotherapist. If necessary, a medical consultation will be suggested. Most group insurance plans cover this type of service. If you need to start your research, you can use this research tool from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec Sincerely, Tom Samaha, pharmacist With pleasure, have a nice day!