Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The dreaded "Night Terrors"


Do you see that most precious smile? I have missed it so much and don't know what has happened. Just wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with Night Terrors. We have had Adia on a pretty good sleep pattern (with a few minor bumps here and there)for many months. Three weeks ago she stopped sleeping through the night and has been completely freaking out at nap/bed time. The last two nights I can officially say she is having Night Terrors. Last night was the absolute worst, my heart was crushed for her as she was trembling in my arms and acted like she didn't know me. It was awful!!!!!!!! Any advice would be helpful and please pray for both of us. Words can't even describe the fear I saw in her face and all I know is that my heart has never been more crushed.

5 comments:

Julie & Patrick said...

Cheryl, I am so sorry! This has got to be tough. We have not had to deal with anything like this, although in all the reading I've done the things mentioned are that soothing and reminding the child they are safe are key. Does she remember the episode? Could it really be PTSD? Does she share a room? When this suddenly starts happening after months of good sleeping habits, one book mentioned that perhaps her tonsils or adnoids are swollen causing her night time breathing to be interrupted or difficult which can also cause this scared reaction. The other tidbits I can recall say that this is often a phase that they grow out of and that they tend to return to sleep best if they fall asleep on their own, not in your lap....relearning how to fall asleep again, however this has to be awful for the parents.
Hope resolve comes soon for you and your dear one.

Julie

Kristi W. said...

I'll be praying for you and Adia in this situation. We don't have any experience with this either. Wish I had some good advice. Hang in there...

Robby and Lynsey said...

Oh Cheryl, I'm so sorry! I wish I had advice. Lots of prayers for you both. I can only imagine how awful it is to see your child go through that and not know what to do to help. Call if you need anything - we'll help if we can!

Pam said...

Cheryl,I'm so sorry you guys are going through this! I have had experience with this actually. Micah's sleep patterns were horrible~including night terrors & head banging. We see recurrances of them during growth spurts and dietary changes. Try to make a list of what Adia is eating. You may notice a pattern. Sometimes it's just something the kids have to outgrow. Message me on facebook if you want to talk some more! I know this is so hard, but hang in there you will get through it! Is she acting ok during the day? With true night terrors the kids don't even have any concept of what is happening. They never remember the next day, nor do they even realize it at the moment it is occuring. Message me if you want!
HUGS!

Peter and Nancy said...

How scary and sad for all of you! Any time my kids are inconsolable, for whatever reason, it just breaks my heart.

We haven't had night terrors . . . but the things Pam & Julie said are what I remember reading. (That the kids are not truly awake, and don't remember it the next day, and that if you can soothe them back to sleep in their bed it works best.) Let us know what works when you try it.
Nancy