My father is 67 years old and has approximately 3 night terrors per week. He has had them for 5-6 years now, and in every one he is either getting chased by something or attacked in some way. Sometimes he actually hurts himself in the process. My family wants him to see a doctor about it but none of us really know what can be done. I'm assuming the first place to start would be with his primary physician. I'm just curious as to methods of diagnoses, whether its sleep test, psychiatric consult, etc. and methods of therapy (medication, therapy, etc.) Also if anyone knows what can cause these. Any information about this would be great, most of it that I can find applies to children.
2007-01-01 15:52:15 · 9 answers · asked by mbarlow121 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
this happens to every dad..............it happened to mine.........
i'm pretty sure its not a psychiatrist consult, or anything bad............
its normal
2007-01-01 15:56:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well since you said most of it applies to childern , then he may end up having to see a therapist at some time, cause it sounds like something that is from the past and has not been resolved and has finally broke though in his dreams. I would first start with his normal doctor, and see what he says. He may try and give him something to try to sleep better. But like i said it sounds like something that has resurfaced after who knows how long, and for what reason. Somethng that has not been resloved some where in his life time. Chases are no one knows about this, this is something that he has put away in the back of his mind since who knows when. So I would first start with his normal doctor and see what he says, then he may sugguest him to go and talk to a therapist. Hopifully it will be resolved here soon, and he will quit having the night terrors. I Hope you and you father and family the best.
2007-01-01 16:04:54 · answer #2 · answered by Ladyofathousandfaces 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different sources can cause night terrors, your dad's night terrors might have a psychological or physiological cause.
I've had night terror problems at two different times in my life and they were both from different causes. The first time it was because I was suffering from a lot of stress and anxiety, the second time was because I had an undiagnosed thyroid problem.
Your dad's doctor will probably ask your dad a lot of questions about his physical and mental health. It's important your father answers honestly and to the best of his ability. The doctor may refer your father to a psychiatrist, psychologist, sleep clinic, or another sort of specialist. Your dad could have sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety - any number of things!
I think it's wonderful that your family cares about your dad so much and want to help him feel better.
2007-01-01 16:32:47 · answer #3 · answered by stoofadoofa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go see your physician first, he will probably reccommend a sleep specialist, the word for it alludes me at the moment but there is a word for a sleep doctor, but i digress. There is medication one can take for this sort of disorder, the specialist will be able to tell you more than me. Start with your regular doctor though. Good Luck with this, Night Terrors are tough.
2007-01-01 15:59:15 · answer #4 · answered by silverrubberband689 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband has night terrors usually. He has punched an entire interior the wall in his sleep and quite a few different circumstances i've got woken up with him attempting to hold up the wall or the ceiling from falling down. So confident, i've got faith that adults have them too.
2016-10-06 07:48:40 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor guy. He may be subconsciously afraid of what advancing age will bring. Try to be as patient as possible in dealing with this. Many times night terrors run their course within a few days-weeks-months... maybe he should seek counseling. good luck.
2007-01-01 16:16:20 · answer #6 · answered by ginarene71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OVERWHELM:
Try drinking a cup of any hot tea, sweetened, and a lot of heavy cream added to it. I use a tsp. Splenda and a lot of heavy cream per cup, probably 2 or 3 Tbsp. heavy cream per cup. Something about this calms my system down again.
Herbal teas that I use to help calm my own nervous system are Sleepytime, Passionflower, Lady's Slipper, Lavender, Skullcap, and Kava-Kava.
Press your thumbs and index fingertips together on both hands to block out whatever it is you are absorbing that is causing the overwhelm to your nervous system
2007-01-01 16:02:04 · answer #7 · answered by harley w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get him to take alieve.. its a pain reliever and not an sleep medicine but calms you enough to sleep well .. just one tablet ,if it persist go to the doctor with him and ask for a mild tranquilizer for him to sleep well. Something is on his mind but if he sleeps well it will stop it..I used to have night mares almost every night about the abuse i was subjected to over 23 years of my x wife.. still get them occasionally but the alieve helps alot ..
2007-01-01 15:57:22 · answer #8 · answered by Michael F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know im a jerk and no one likes me how ever when i had night terrors all i did was pray to god
i said " god can you make it so i will not have nightmares any more"
and ever since that day i havnt had any night mares
i promise you that happened honest to god i am not being sarcastic if you are a firm beliver in jesus christ i urge him to try it
if you belive say by to the night terrors
im not just a lunnitic
IT WORKED
2007-01-01 15:58:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋