Night terrors are intense and striking clinical phenonema. Because of the dramatic nature of this disorder and its widespread confusion with nightmares, a comprehensive overview of the empirical literature reflecting the characteristics, etiology, and treatment of night terrors is presented. Data gathered from recent sleep laboratory investigations and clinical findings are integrated to highlight the unique clinical presentation and course of this disorder. It appears that night terrors are a nighttime disorder of arousal in persons that are predisposed genetically. Treatment should be based on comprehensive assessment of the disorder and most likely be related to the reduction of stress.