Weird Question

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever had, or known someone that had night terrors?  We are beginning to think our son may be having them, and I was wondering if any of you have dealt with it.  
  I don't really want to put him through a sleep study at this age, but I don't want him to have to deal with this every night either.
  Like i said weird question, but I just want some first hand advice if anyone has dealt with it. Thanks

[Lits]

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/sleep/a/night_terrors.htm

Never dealt with it in my family, but this seemed rather helpful.

[Jeyk]

I'll look it up in one of my Psych books or see if I can ask one of my professors about something you can do.  All I do know thus far is that it usually goes away after childhood.  I used to be a night terror kid myself!  I'll see what I can find out for you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jeyk, I just hate feeling so useless when he's going through it, I feel like a terrible mom because there isn't much I can do to help him. :2'(
  And Thank you for the link Lits, I want to learn as much as I can about it.

[Jeyk]

After referring to my text(s), the easiet method to try would to be what's called "Scheduled Awakenings".  You basically have to find the typical time that he/she has their episode, and awaken them him/her 30 minutes prior to that episode, and stay with them until they go back to sleep.  This will need to be done over several weeks.

The only other method I can find referenced is to seek clinical intervention, which will initially result in the therapist having you wait until the episodes wear out on their own, or prescribing them on an antidepressant or a benzidiopene (Xanex, for example), to make them groggy enough to knock them out.

[Anonymous]

I think I'll start trying that, Thanks a lot Jeyk. Here's to hoping it will work. I really appreciate the advice.

[Anonymous]

Eesh I can't stand the idea of drugging kids.  I know it's not a long term harm, but something about it.... I shouldn't have watched Boogeyman last week.  What are you trying at the moment Saf?  Night lights?  Scent therapy?  Alcohol?

[NoCry]

all the best saff

[Anonymous]

Yeah I'm with you there Destyn, I'd rather try everything else first.  At the moment we haven't been trying anything but sitting with him when it happens, and most of the time it doesn't last for more then 5 or 10 minutes, but some nights it's longer.
  From what Ive read it could have a lot to do with the fact that he is a VERY active child, and he usually goes to bed overly tired which is a big factor I guess.
  Jeyk mentioned the scheduled awakenings and I've also read up some on the scent and sound therapy, so i think I'm going to try those along with the awakenings.
 As for alcohol, I think I may need a cocktail or 2 on the nights hubby is willing to stay up with him. It's hard not to try and wake him up when he's going through it, but the doctor said that was the most important thing to remember.
  I've been up with him on and off all night and I'm hoping he's down for good now, I need sleep :|

[Subb]

poor guy, I've heard that they can be nasty. I'm sure Mrs. Saf will sort everything out

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I hear those light shows Fisher Price do can be very soothing for young uns.  Like everyone says though, an established routine is key, something to calm his mind down before he goes to sleep so he's not having anxiety attacks and waking up in a panic

[Fuse]

Out of curiosity, how old is the little one?

[Anonymous]

Did I recall seeing somewhere he's 2 and a half?  Not sure where I saw that.

Is he trying to make it through the night dry Saf?  I see quite a lot of people saying that the stress of making it through a night without wetting the bed can be a cause, and a lot of people suggest leading the child to the toilet before bed or even after an episode.  Most of the cures seem to be around a bedtime routine though.  This site for example suggests that children replay their bedtime routine when they fall asleep so a calming routine can help, is his bedtime normally stressful?  As in, he resists going to bed?

[Anonymous]

He's 4 and yes he fights bed every night, he just wants to keep going, I think a lot of it has to do with his dad leaving for work shortly before his bed time.  We're working on that though, baths and stories before bed, and just cuddling, I'm hoping that helps him.
  So far so good tonight, hopefully We'll both get a good nights sleep tonight.

[Heironymus]

 So far so good tonight, hopefully We'll both get a good nights sleep tonight.

just a thought I had.. if one of the possible reasons is overly tired. perhaps promoting him to take a nap mid day wouldn't hurt... I am sure he will refuse.. but a mid-day nap may cause his over tiredness to lighten a little.. ... just a thought...