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Night Terrors
When Kids Go Bump in the Night
By Teri Cooper Brown
Violent, action-packed television shows or movies, especially viewed after dinner, have also been linked to night terrors. Most important, lack of sleep and/or an inconsistent sleep schedule is a strongly suspected link. It is extremely important that parents put children to bed on time because allowing them to stay up past bedtime makes them overtired and may trigger the terror. Check with your pediatrician for the recommended number of hours of sleep for your child's age group.
If you suspect your child may be a victim of night terrors, it is important you see a doctor. Unfortunately, many pediatricians do not recognize terror symptoms and often diagnose typical nightmares. As a parent, it is important for you to trust your instincts. Ask for a referral to a pediatric neurologist, or call a local sleep study center and ask if they offer a free consultation. If not, ask the center to send sleep disorders information to both you and your family doctor.
The most important thing a parent can do is to keep a detailed sleep diary, beginning with the first episode of nighttime waking. The diary should include an overview of the child's evening, and note any of the child's comments about things that happened at preschool or daycare. In addition to activities, the diary should also include the contents of the evening meal and after-dinner snacks, the child's overall evening disposition and a brief description of television shows or movies watched.
Finally, ask parents and grandparents about family history of any type of sleep disorder. Note any remarkable memories, including sleep walking, sleep talking, nightmares and bedwetting. Sketch a chart of family members and list each person's sleep history beside his or her name.
