Your crawl into bed after an exhausting day and just as you are drifting off to sleep, you’re startled by the horrified screams of your child. You race down the hall like the demons of hell are after you and find your child cowering against the headboard. You ask him what’s wrong, as you gather him into your arms and he sobs, “Something is after me.” Is this a nightmare or night terrors?

Parasomnia is defined as, “around sleep,” and nightmares are a type of parasomnia. Other types include bedwetting, night terrors, and sleep walking. All types of parasomnia can turn nights into total chaos for the entire family and some types can actually harm your child.

Categories

Parasomnia falls into three different categories. They are paroxysmal, rhythmic and static disorders.

Paroxysmal

Disorders that fall into this category appear without warning and recur infrequently. Just when you think they have disappeared forever, your child has another bout. Paroxysmal disorders are bedwetting, nightmares, night terrors and sleepwalking.

Bedwetting

Also known as enuresis, bedwetting is a common problem that can seriously affect your child’s self esteem. Bedwetting is usually a problem in children between the ages of three and eight, but can carry over into the teen years. If your child wets the bed on a regular basis, talk to his pediatrician so she can rule out all physical problems.

Nightmares

Nightmares and night terrors are two completely different disorders. Nightmares are based on your child’s psychology. He will often remember them for long periods of time, but they aren’t dangerous. Nightmares only occur during rapid eye movement or REM sleep. Your child’s eyes will move rapidly, his breathing will become irregular, his heart will race and bad dreams or nightmares will occur. Slow wave sleep, also known as non-REM sleep is a much deeper sleep.

Night Terrors

Pavo Nocturnus, also known as night terrors, wakes everyone in the house. When your child experiences night terrors, she will be startled from sleep and will scream or cry. Breathing and heart rate will become erratic, her eyes will be open, but it’s unlikely she will remember the episode. All she will know is that she woke up frightened.

The first third of the sleep cycle is when sleep terrors occur and your child is in a deep sleep during this time. Research has found that instead of moving into the next stage of sleep or waking, your child is stuck in between stages. Night terrors occur in 15% of toddlers. They can be caused because the child is overtired or because her sleep cycle was interrupted.

Night terrors can be dangerous because children are so frightened they jump out of bed and do things that are totally out of character. Research has not found a definite cause for night terrors, but it’s been found that sleep apnea is often present in children who experience them. Have your child assessed by a sleep specialist to rule out sleep apnea. She should also visit her pediatrician to rule out neurological disorders, physical problems and to have medication prescribed for the disorder.

Sleepwalking

Does your child walk in his sleep? Though the disorder is usually mild, it can be very dangerous if it happens regularly or if the episode is intense. Remove all dangerous objects from her room and lock all of the windows.

Have your child assessed by a sleep specialist who may prescribe medications or recommend a consistent cycle of sleep and wakefulness.

Rhythmic Sleep Disorders

Rhythmic sleep disorders include head and body rocking and head banging and they range from very mild to thrashing. Other symptoms include rocking on hands and knees and pulling up the knees and raising the torso simultaneously. During these episodes, your child may hum or moan and this often occurs when the child is between stages or sleep or just when he’s waking and is between sleep and wakefulness.

Though the cause of rhythmic sleep disorders are not known, they seem to go hand-in-hand with ear infections, nasal problems and early morning headaches.

Another disorder that is on the rhythmic scale is restless leg syndrome (RLS,) which has a genetic background. Your child will move her legs repeatedly and sometimes rapidly while she is sleeping. Periodic leg movement syndrome occurs when your child’s leg move involuntarily while she sleeps.

If your child suffers from restless leg syndrome, try the following:

• Hypnotism

• Music therapy, which includes a ticking metronome or rhythmic sounds.

• Medications used for motion sickness.

• Psychotherapy.

• Stimulants.

• Tranquilizers.

Your child’s pediatrician should be notified of any rhythmic sleep disorders.

Static Disorders

Young children and babies often suffer from static sleep disorders. Children may sleep in odd positions, or with their eyes open. Arched backs, heads thrown back or sleeping upside down are all common symptoms.

Though static sleep disorders cause no harm to your child, he should have a physical examination to rule out other problems. Inform his pediatrician if his sleeping problems worsen or if they are accompanied by other unusual activity.

Coping

If your child’s sleep patterns are inconsistent, talk to her pediatrician. Children should have regular hours of interrupted sleep, according to their age.

• Preschoolers need 10 to 12 hours sleep.
• Children six to nine need at least 10 and possibly 12 hours sleep.
• Children aged ten to twelve need at least nine hours sleep and sometimes more, depending on the individual.

A child who suffers from inconsistent sleep patterns may be referred to a sleep specialist by his pediatrician.

Sleep Hygiene

Children should have a regular bedtime and wake up time. Younger children should have an established nap time and this schedule should be rigidly enforced.

• Avoid giving your child anything that contains caffeine after the evening meal, which should be no later than 6 pm. Caffeine is found in most soft drinks. Buy caffeine free soda or offer the child a drink of milk or juice.

• Make your child’s bedroom comfortable, cozy and age-friendly.

• Limit drinks before bedtime. Only one small drink should be given after the evening meal. This is especially important in children who suffer from reflux or who wet the bed.

• Be sure your child has regular meals and a good exercise regime.

• Use the child’s bed only for sleeping. It should not be a place where your child plays, reads or watches TV.

• Keep a journal. Each night record your child’s activities before he goes to bed. What does he eat or drink and when? What time does he go to the bathroom? What were the last activities he participated in? Along with these, record weather conditions and any other information that you feel is pertinent to help your child’s pediatrician pinpoint the cause of the problem. This ensures that she will be able to create a successful treatment agenda.

Your child’s sleep patterns are important to both his physical and mental well being. He will not do well in school if his sleep patterns are irregular. In order to ascertain that your child is productive, healthy and happy, be alert to any sleep disruptions that occur and speak to his pediatrician concerning them.