Which of the statements about night terrors is correct?

• A. They occur fairly equally in children and adults.
• B. They are a common disorder.
• C. They happen during a light stage of sleep.
• D. They are a state of panic experienced while asleep.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of night terrors: Night terrors are episodes of intense fear, screaming, and flailing while still asleep, often occurring in children.
2. Identify the sleep stage: Night terrors typically occur during non-REM (NREM) sleep, specifically in the deep stages, not during light sleep.
3. Consider the prevalence: Night terrors are more common in children than adults, making them less common in the general adult population.
4. Evaluate the state of consciousness: During a night terror, the individual is in a state of panic but remains asleep, distinguishing it from nightmares which occur during REM sleep.
5. Conclude with the correct statement: Based on the characteristics of night terrors, the correct statement is that they are a state of panic experienced while asleep.