Ian is a seven-year-old boy who occasionally screams in the middle of the night. During these episodes, Ian talks incoherently and will NOT wake up. Which sleep disorder is Ian likely experiencing?

a. a sleep terror

b. a narcoleptic episode

c. a nightmare

d. a sleep stressor

Ian is experiecing a sleep terror.

Explanation:

A sleep terror is a sleeping disorder that can affect a person of any age, and it is frecuently to appear in childhood. It is different from a nightmare because of the specific characteristics of it. For instance it is very hard for a person to wake up when experiencing a sleep terror, it is followed by sweating and heart aceleration. The episodes repeat often.

Other syntomps that would appear, are abrupt waking up with agitation and screaming.