My son seems to be going to bed and falling asleep fine but then wakes up crying, sweating, and shaking like he is terrified. He says he is not having a bad dream and can't really explain why he is so scared and he does seem to be having more of an anxiety attack then being scared. I am worried because when this happens he cries uncontrollable for at least 15 minutes and shakes. He always talks to us though uncomprehensible and he always remembers the incident the next morning so I don't think it is night terrors. I haven't slept in days because this happens every night and I am worried that he will try to walk around and hurt himself or worse try to leave the house and I don't want him up crying by himself when he wakes. Has anyone else been through something like this and how do I get him to stay asleep without waking up in one of these episodes?
I have had some suggestions about sleep apnea but he doesn't snore, move around in his sleep, breath difficultly and isn't overweight.
2007-08-22 02:09:24 · 11 answers · asked by Trisha 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Thanks he does have a nightlite and we haven't had any changes. Same house, same jobs, same school (home) same family. I have asked him about neighborhood bullies and sexual abuse he says no to both of these and I believe him. Any other suggestions?
2007-08-22 02:24:05 · update #1
It actually sounds like night terrors, which are different from nightmares and aren't usually remembered. Try watching what he eats before he goes to bed. Don't let him eat anything at least an hour before bed, they sell some great sleep aids at GNC also that are all natural and help relax the mind and body during sleep.
2007-08-22 02:18:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is night terrors. You can have them and remember them. I actually am 24 and have been having them since I was a kid, my dad had them until he was a grown man, and his brothers as well.
Its genetic. As around on your side and your husbands side of the family, some where is someone who had the same issue.
It would be highly unlikely that its anxiety. Especially at his age.
Cut out sugar in his diet. Completely. Make sure he's getting enough activty during the day, plenty of water. Theres something stressing him out some where, either school, worries, friends, or even the thought of death. They get worse when hormones are changing, so its possible his body is changing a little bit.
He'll out grow it, but he'll probably just have the tendancy to react that way when he's stressed or over tired.
I know exactly what he and you are going through. Its freak crap, but its not as scary as it seems at the time. The best thing you can do is to go in when you first start to hear him stir and tell him that its okay, he can go back to sleep. He'll probably try to tell you something, and act more scared, but just lay him back down, lay beside him and rub his back or his hair or whatever comforts him.
Make sure he doesnt have fever. Fever dreams are like this too.
Whatever he's most afraid of is probabyl what he's dreaming. For me its spiders. Iam awake, i can see and talk with people, but i can also see and feel spiders all around. Its creepy. Like tripping on some narcotic or something.
He's stressed and over tired and this is how his body deals with it. Everyone is different.
2007-08-22 02:18:31 · answer #2 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Something is obviously going on in his life. Family changes? A move to a new location? A bully in school? Is he, God forbid, being sexually abused? You need to get to the bottom of this, fast. Unfortunately, we can't help you from a distance. At the very least, take him to a doctor and see if there's a physical reason for his terror.
2007-08-22 02:16:11 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My then 2 year old daughter used to do that after her nap or when she didn't get good sleep. She would wake up and cry and shake for 2-3 hours and there was nothing I could do to help her. It could be physical/chemical and something goes off balance when he doesn't get good sleep. It happens to me to once in a while when I wake up all the sudden..my heartbeat goes up, sweating and shaking. Hopefully he will grow out of it eventually but you should check things out with his doctor just in case they can help him sooner.
Good luck!
2007-08-22 02:19:41 · answer #4 · answered by Krazy K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does he have a night light in his room? It could be that the room is dark that is how his anxiety attacks start. Night lights are wonderful things. I even have one for my room as I terrified that the grudge lady will come get me in my room and I'm 20 for crying out loud.
2007-08-22 02:14:54 · answer #5 · answered by Kayleigh + Alexandra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not extra caffeine, not extra soda pop. Bedtime same time prevalent! awaken time same time each and on a daily basis. 8 hours sleep time required. Plan B. purchase a sparkling mattress or new pillow. would desire to be traumatic the sleep development. Face mattress in new direction. FenShui, its observed as.
2016-10-03 01:32:31 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the doctor. It sounds as if he is having sezures in his sleep. Before he wakes up, does he shake or slightly twitch in his sleep. My sis has the same problem. She would twitch in her sleep, and curl up, which is painful. Talk to the doc.
2007-08-22 09:08:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
he might have anxiety attacks so go to a doctor and ask because I don't know what this is
2007-08-22 02:14:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
talk to his doctor....it might be somehting they want to check into during a sleep lab
2007-08-22 02:14:07 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Mommy to 3 year old Jacob and baby on the way♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would talk to your doctor
2007-08-22 02:14:31 · answer #10 · answered by Brooke 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋