Sleep Disorders of Children

Children, it seems, have a natural fear of the dark.  I certainly did.  We had no electricity back then, and I remember standing at the door of my dark bedroom.  Then taking a leap across the width of the room to land in the middle of my bed.  There might be monsters under my bed, you see.  

NIGHTMARES/NIGHT TERRORS

A child's fear of the dark serves to worsen sleep disorders.  Fear of the dark may bring on a  nightmare  which, in turn, may intensify the fear of imagined monsters beneath the bed or in the closet.  Even worse than nightmares are night terrors when the child awakens suddenly, screaming in terror to escape from a terrifying dream that he will not be able to remember.  

SLEEPWALKING/TALKING

Sleepwalking or  somnambulism is another sleep disorder common in childhood.  This is a harmless habit if parents take a little special care to provide a safe environment. Talking while asleep  and  sleeping with open eyes  may seem a bit strange, but both are common and harmless most of the time.  

BRUXISM

Bruxism or grinding and gnashing the teeth while asleep is a very annoying sleep disturber.  It can also lead to dental problems.  

HEAD BANGING OR ROLLING

Many children are head rollers or  head bangers especially when they are dropping off to sleep.  Usually this is a harmless habit they will grow out of before adolescence.  

BEDWETTING OR ENURESIS

 Bedwetting  is also very common, but it is troublesome to parents and embarrassing and humiliating to children, especially as they grow older. This is often a medical problem and a doctor may prescribe treatment that will help.