Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 25 April 2024

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DSM-IV: Sleep Terror Disorder

This Parasomnia is characterized by recurrent episodes inwhich the individual abruptly awakens with a cry of terror, autonomic arousal, and otherfear behavior. They may not respond readily to efforts to comfort or awaken them fully. If they do awaken they have limited recollection of dream material, but they are completely amnesic for the event the following morning.

Diagnostic criteria for 307.46 Sleep Terror Disorder

A. Recurrent episodes of abrupt awakening from sleep, usually occurring during the first third of the major sleep episode and beginning with a panicky scream.

B. Intense fear and signs of autonomic arousal, such as tachycardia, rapid breathing, and sweating, during each episode.

C. Relative unresponsiveness to efforts of others to comfort the person during the episode.

D. No detailed dream is recalled and there is amnesia for the episode.

E. The episodes cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

F. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g. a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

Based on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition APA

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.