Okay, so we were finally getting used to the ADHD issues - bad days at school, rewards and vitamins - and then Nathan starts what we think is sleepwalking. Strange behavior sleep walking. He would talk jibberish and always tell us someone was trying to get him. He appeared to be awake kind-of. It was really creepy and was happening every few nights. Well it progressed into every night and finally my husband and I were at wits end.
What was wrong with our son? What happened to him to have these nightmares we couldn't really wake him from? I called the doctor and found out my son has a classica case of night terrors. The doc said it wasn't due to psychological stress but just like sleep walking - it just happens to some kids and they usually out grow it. In the meantime, we have to deal with this VERY SCAREY behavior.
About one hour into my son's sleep, he "awakens" and runs around and cries. He is terrified and is afraid someone is trying to hurt him. You can't really understand much of what he says but the fear is obvious to us. He is usually a cuddly kid but he won't let you hold him much during an episode. I say he "awakens" but the key here is he is NOT awake! I just talk softly to him telling him I'm there and try to rub his back when he lets me hold him. Try to keep him still as possible and tell him he's safe and in his bed...in his room. Mommy's there. It's heartbreaking. Then in about 5 minutes (although it seems like hours) he relaxes in my arms and it's over. I then put him on his pillow or he crawls over to his pillow and goes back to sleep. WOW!
I'm going to do more internet research on a method called the 7 day awaken method that is supposed to help 90% of children get over it. You are supposed to time how long after falling asleep the episodes occur and then wake them up 15 minutes before it is supposed to start. Do this for seven days and that's it. It's not called a cure, but that is what it seems like it is supposed to be.
Has anyone heard of this? Anyway, I'll post more when I find out more. God is truly teaching me something about being a mother - strength, patience, endurance, and love.
What was wrong with our son? What happened to him to have these nightmares we couldn't really wake him from? I called the doctor and found out my son has a classica case of night terrors. The doc said it wasn't due to psychological stress but just like sleep walking - it just happens to some kids and they usually out grow it. In the meantime, we have to deal with this VERY SCAREY behavior.
About one hour into my son's sleep, he "awakens" and runs around and cries. He is terrified and is afraid someone is trying to hurt him. You can't really understand much of what he says but the fear is obvious to us. He is usually a cuddly kid but he won't let you hold him much during an episode. I say he "awakens" but the key here is he is NOT awake! I just talk softly to him telling him I'm there and try to rub his back when he lets me hold him. Try to keep him still as possible and tell him he's safe and in his bed...in his room. Mommy's there. It's heartbreaking. Then in about 5 minutes (although it seems like hours) he relaxes in my arms and it's over. I then put him on his pillow or he crawls over to his pillow and goes back to sleep. WOW!
I'm going to do more internet research on a method called the 7 day awaken method that is supposed to help 90% of children get over it. You are supposed to time how long after falling asleep the episodes occur and then wake them up 15 minutes before it is supposed to start. Do this for seven days and that's it. It's not called a cure, but that is what it seems like it is supposed to be.
Has anyone heard of this? Anyway, I'll post more when I find out more. God is truly teaching me something about being a mother - strength, patience, endurance, and love.
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