How are episodes of Sleep Terrors primarily characterized?

Episodes of Sleep Terrors, also known as night terrors, are primarily characterized by intense fear accompanied by a state of unresponsiveness to comfort. During these episodes, individuals typically exhibit signs of extreme panic, such as screaming, thrashing, or sweating, while remaining in a state of confusion and not being fully awake. This distinguishes sleep terrors from nightmares, where the individual usually can remember the dream upon awakening and may be comforted.

The intense fear experienced during sleep terrors can lead to behaviors that disturb others' sleep, but the hallmark feature is the overwhelming panic and inability of the individual to respond to reassurance or comfort from those around them. Therefore, choice C accurately captures the essence of what defines these episodes in accordance with the diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5.