Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a parasomnia disorder where individuals experience feelings of terror during the first few hours of sleep in stage 3 or 4 non-REM sleep. They commonly occur in children between ages 3 to 12. Symptoms include abrupt awakening with inability to communicate, fast breathing and heart rate. Potential causes include stress, medications, fatigue, head injuries or irregular brain function. Treatment options focus on ensuring safety during episodes and not overemphasizing them to reduce impact on the child.