Nightmares

Nightmares are frightening dreams that occur during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which usually result in waking from sleep and seeking reassurance. The content of nightmares varies with the age and developmental stage of the child. They may coincide with a frightening event, trauma or stress. They are more prevelant when there is sleep deficit. On average 75% of children experience at least one nightmare and 10-50% of young children require parental intervention to reassure them in the night. Chronic nightmares are nightmares which occur regularly over 3 months or longer. One study shows that 24% of children aged 2-5 years and 41% of children aged 6-10 years experience chronic nightmares.

If a child has experienced frequent nightmares then this can make the child afraid to go to bed (bed time resistance) because they anticipate frightening dreams.

Children remember the scary content of the dream and they awake with feelings of impending harm and anxiety. Return to sleep following this experience is delayed. The child has this experience in the later part of the night whereas Night terrors usually occur within the first few hours of settling to sleep, do not result in a full awakening and return to sleep is much more rapid.

There are a variety of strategies which can be successfully used to reduce and eliminate nightmares. Where behavioural strategies fail or the nightmares are extremely disruptive and persistant referral to a mental health specialist for evaluation and treatment are worthwhile.

If you would like help to reduce your child's nightmares contact Dream-Angus.com.