Final answer:
Night terrors are intense episodes of panic occurring during NREM sleep, with sufferers generally not remembering the event. These parasomnias do not typically require treatment unless connected to a deeper health condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are parasomnias characterized by intense feelings of panic where the sufferer may scream or seem to be trying to escape from an unknown threat. Despite the intensity of a night terror, individuals do not remember the episode upon waking. These episodes occur during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) phase of sleep, which is different from sleepwalking that typically happens during slow-wave sleep. Treatment for night terrors is usually not required, except when there is an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. Night terrors and other parasomnias like sleepwalking and sleep apnea underline the complexity of sleep as a state where the mind and body can experience a range of activity, from physically acting out to stopping breathing, all of which can have significant health implications.