A
parent first hears the cries, then perhaps the sound of little feet, and
then the small body hurtling into your bed. Could it be the result of "a
monster in the closet?" More likely, it's your child reaching out while
experiencing a nightmare.
What are Nightmares?
Nightmares are simply scary dreams. Dreams during sleep are
similar to imaginary play during waking hours in that they help our children
process new information and complicated events. Children are trying to make
sense of their world, even during sleep, and sometimes the world they
imagine can be confusing and scary. Children under one year may begin having
nightmares, but most occur to children eighteen months and older. For
toddlers and preschoolers, the cause of nightmares can stem from thoughts of
being separated from their parents, sleeping in the dark, or just the
unknown. School-age children may have bad dreams about friendships gone
awry, schoolwork, failure, or even violence. When a child remembers a
nightmare, it may be a confusing mix of events.
What are Night Terrors?
During night terrors, a child may appear to be awake, even
with their eyes open, but they are really asleep. Children with night
terrors may scream, kick, panic, sleepwalk, thrash, or mumble. Night terrors
usually occur within two hours of the time a child goes to sleep and can
last from 10 to 30 minutes. Night terrors occur in about 2% of children
between the ages of 1 and 8 years. Frightening as it is, most children don't
even remember the episode in the morning. The most dangerous part is
protecting children from themselves. Night terrors are otherwise harmless,
and each episode will eventually end in deep sleep.
Should Parents Worry about Their
Children's Nightmares and Night Terrors?
Parents often worry that nightmares and night terrors reflect
trauma or emotional distress. These sleep disorders rarely, if ever, reflect
underlying illness. The only time a doctor's intervention might be necessary
is if the nightmares affect a child's ability to function during waking
hours. The reassurance and support of parents is usually the only treatment
required to help our children. Nightmares and night terrors usually
disappear as the child matures.
