If a person wakes as from sleep as if from a nightmare but with no memory, this may be a: Group of answer choices cataplexy narcolepsy night terror sleep apnea
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Night Terror
A night terror, also known as a sleep terror, is a type of parasomnia—a sleep disorder involving abnormal behaviors, emotions, perceptions, or dreams. It typically occurs during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, most often during deep sleep (stage 3), and is more common in children than in adults.
Night terrors are characterized by a sudden arousal from sleep with signs of intense fear, such as screaming, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. Unlike nightmares, which occur during REM sleep and are usually vividly remembered, individuals experiencing night terrors do not typically recall the episode upon waking. They may appear to be awake, with open eyes and movement, but they are actually still in a sleep state and are difficult to console or awaken fully. The episode usually lasts a few minutes, after which the person may either return to normal sleep or wake up briefly in a confused state.
In contrast, the other answer choices are distinct conditions:
- Cataplexy is a sudden, brief loss of voluntary muscle tone triggered by strong emotions and is associated with narcolepsy.
- Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
- Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts, often causing snoring, gasping, and daytime fatigue.
Thus, the description “wakes as from sleep as if from a nightmare but with no memory” most closely matches the clinical features of a night terror, making it the most accurate choice. Recognizing the signs of night terrors is essential for proper management and reassurance, especially for caregivers of young children who may be alarmed by the intensity of the episodes.