There have been some of us that have had unsettling dreams at some point, but night terrors are something different. They’re intense, often overwhelming and that happen during deep sleep — usually early in the night. A person might suddenly sit upright, eyes open, appearing wide awake but unreachable. And when it’s over, they often remember little or nothing.
From a medical and psychological perspective, night terrors are considered a form of “parasomnia” which is a sleep disorder where a person is starting to partially wake up from “deep non-REM” sleep. They’re most common in children, but they can appear in adults, especially during times of stress, sleep deprivation, or trauma.
But this is where it’s interesting when investigating people who report having paranormal experiences. Night Terrors can be similar to haunting type experience e.g. the feeling of someone in the room, shadowy figures near the bed, or pressure on the chest. People sometimes describe being awake but paralysed, unable to move or speak and an overwhelming feeling there is a sense of dread.
From a psychological angle, many would think this is known as sleep paralysis which is when the body remains in its REM sleep state while the mind becomes conscious. Yet, for those who’ve lived through it, the experience feels far more than that. The atmosphere, the awareness, the vividness — it can feel very real.
Some investigators and experiencers think that sleep paralysis or night terror states might open a doorway to see into another world. Others say that the intense fear heightens psychic sensitivity, due to someone feeling stressed. While science would say all this is neurochemical, it’s interesting to think why these experiences are consistent like “seeing” dark figures, that suffocating pressure or a feeling of being watched.
So how do we approach this as investigators?
First, with care and sensitivity. People who experience night terrors can feel shaken, even ashamed, as though they’ve lost control. It’s important to reassure them that what they’ve experienced is common and that many explanations exist.
When exploring a case that includes night-time disturbances, here are some things to think about:
Gather detail info. Ask about patterns — time of night, stress levels or recent emotional stress.
Encourage healthy sleeping habits. Simple changes like regular bedtimes, less screen time, or relaxation before sleep can help.
Document sensory details. What did they see, hear, or feel? Were there environmental changes, temperature drops, sounds, lights.
Avoid leading questions. This can be hard, but let the experiencer describe events in their own words before bringing up the possible idea of night terrors or sleep paralysis.
It’s also important to remember that even if an experience can be explained away as a psychological one, doesn’t mean that it’s irrelevant to the person. When this happens to a person it can leave a decent emotional impact. It can get people thinking about reality, death, and fear itself.
So, if you’re investigating a case that involves disturbing dreams or night terrors, be gentle. Acknowledge both the psychological and the paranormal possibilities. And remember — helping someone feel safe and understood is just as important as finding an explanation.
