Night terrors

[ruthier]

Hi,
My dd had her first night terror a few nights ago. It was teffirying for all of us! She's 5 and although she's had the odd bad dream they have been nothing compared to this. I heard her running down the stairs (her room is in the attic conversion), I ran to the stair gate to see her pulling on it like mad and screaming with all her might. I was so scared as I had no idea what was wrong. She spoke in a sort of robotic voice which I think was because she was asleep still even though she was looking around my room wide eyed. She didn't go back to sleep for ages but couldn't remember any more than a monster was in her room and going to take her away (her fear was so real i sent my husband upstairs to check no one was in the room!).
She has been better with no bad dreams since but she has been having distrubed nights (most unlike her as she's always been a fab sleeper).
Does anyone know what brings these on and the best way to cope with them? She has recently started in Y1 at school so it's quite full on, although she's loving it. I didn't know if being tired is a factor in all this! Any advice much appreciated, thanks

 

[seoj]

Wish I had some answers for you hun... didn't want to R&R... but sometimes it's just a "stage" kids can go through. As their little brains develop and look at things happening in life in different ways. I could also be brought on by some worries she has that she doesn't even fully understand...

You might want to ask her pediatrician if they have any advise? They might know what age is normal for this type of thing and what help you can give.

Hopefully, it doesn't last long. Best of luck!!!

 

[divershona]

i suffer from night terrors, and i think i have it linked to stress, i went for sleep studies and everything as a child and the dr's never found out what was wrong, its only now that i've found that when i'm stressed they get alot worse! if i'm not particularly stressed they happen maybe once a month, but when i'm stressed they can happen two or three times a night.

i'd definately speak your your paediatrition as he/she might have some advice on how to deal with it ... was a few years ago that my mum took me so advice or treatments might have changed. I've sussed that having a lovely long soak in the bath and listening to calming music as i'm falling asleep and through the night has greatly reduced the frequency of my night terrors, so maybe that would be worth trying if your daughter continues to get night terrors.

 

[ruthier]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. She has been much better the last few nights and slept through last night which was a relief. I have been trying to get her to bed very early and giving her time to sit and chill out when she gets home from school. Fingers crossed! Thanks again for the replies x

 

[whispernikki]

my son suffered with night terrors....it was certainly anxiety related, what you could try is what i did is taking her to the toilet and see if she settles down after that.

i found my son just needed the toilet and the feeling was setting off nightmares and unease whilst sleeping and then the night terrors

good luck, hope it works