Sleep terrors [night terrors]

This code represents a parasomnia characterized by recurrent episodes of abrupt awakening from NREM sleep, typically accompanied by a panicky scream or cry, intense fear, and autonomic arousal (e.g., tachycardia, tachypnea, sweating). Individuals experiencing sleep terrors are usually unresponsive to comfort efforts and have no recall of the event upon full awakening.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of sleep terrors, also known as night terrors. This diagnosis is typically made based on clinical history and observation, often reported by a parent or caregiver, detailing the characteristic episodes of fear, screaming, and autonomic signs during sleep without full consciousness or recall.

• Differentiate from nightmares (F51.5), which involve vivid, disturbing dreams with recall upon awakening.
• Ensure documentation specifies "sleep terrors" or "night terrors" rather than general sleep disturbance.
• Consider co-occurring sleep disorders or underlying psychiatric conditions that may require additional coding.