scary sleep episodes with my child
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my child is 8 and sometimes wakes up shouting runs up and down the stars saying all sorts like mummy 'i dont like it when he explodes out of the wall' or 'mummy i can't' she shouts growls squeezes me all sorts of things but when you speak to her she reponds but doesn't remember what happened the next day. its scary for me and i dont know what it is or what to do. i end up cuddling her and talking to her to calm own untill she falls asleep.
0 likes, 12 replies
lily65668 y97009
Posted
You're doing exactly the right thing. These episodes are known as night terrors and they're related to sleepwalking. They're relatively common in children, and in a very small number of cases persist into waking life.
You don't say how long this has been going on, or how frequent the attacks are. If she's always had them, there may be no particular cause or treatment. However, if this is a new development, or if attacks are becoming more frequent, it would be a good idea to discuss this with her doctor, as these attacks can be provoked by a number of physical conditions. A low-level, chronic infection such as "glue ear" quite often turns out to be the culprit. Once treated, the attacks tend to stop.
Anxiety can trigger attacks too. I don't want to pry, but I'm wondering whether there's anything going on either at school or in the family that's making her anxious.
There's no need to panic about this, but you should talk to a doctor about it.
lily65668
Posted
Oh dear, the gremlins have got in today! I've just re-read my post (should have done that before hitting the button) and see there's a serious typo in the first para. The second sentence should read: "They're relatively common in children, and in a very small number of cases persist into adult life". Not waking life.
y97009 lily65668
Posted
lily65668 y97009
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You might have a point about excess sugar, and more especially food colourings. The latter are known to adversely affect the waking behaviour of susceptible children. I've never heard they were implicated in night terrors but I don't think you can rule it out. I realise it's almost impossible to police what kids eat when they're out of the house, but maybe you could look at what you're giving her.
I think the approach depends on how often this is happening and how disruptive it is. Obviously, if she's getting out of the house in the night or putting herself or the other children in danger in any other way, it needs to be addressed. It's a fairly common condition in children, so the fact that it's happening shouldn't panic you in itself. However, if it's getting steadily worse and more frequent it would be advisable to discuss it with your doctor.
lily65668
Posted
Whoah - hold the front page! After posting the above I did a bit of internet research. It looks like there are thousands of entries about food colourings and night terrors. As far as I can make out, the main culprit is something called Red Dye 40. Google it. And don't forget red food colourings aren't only found in red-coloured foods. They can be used in smaller quantities in yellow or orange foods, including sweets and drinks.
The fact that your other children are eating highly-coloured foods and not suffering from night terrors doesn't mean much. Everyone has a different metabolism, even in the same family. It sounds as if this is an avenue you should explore.
Good luck!
jane75220 lily65668
Posted
I am allergic/intolerant to amaranth this is a colourant used in childrens sweets, gravy even in muesli and medication.
lily65668 jane75220
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I know, they put additives in the most unnecessary things, don't they? I'm not allergic to any of them as far as I know, but I still wish they wouldn't muck our food about.
jane75220 lily65668
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rocky31676 y97009
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y97009 rocky31676
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jane75220 y97009
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y97009 jane75220
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