Anxiety and sleep disturbances affect some children -- and both these difficulties often go hand-in-hand. Children who are anxious about separating from their parents or are worried at bedtime may experience trouble sleeping. Understanding how to ease your child's anxiety can help ensure that the entire household gets a good night's sleep.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a normal part of a child's development and a common reason why toddlers have difficulty going to sleep. At this point in their maturation, children are aware that their parents exist, but lack the inner confidence to know that they are nearby when they can't see them. Children will commonly cry when put to bed in response to the anxiety they feel about separating from their caregivers. You know separation anxiety is at work if you return to your child's side and the crying quickly subsides. Once a child reaches age 3 or 4, separation anxiety usually disappears. Until then, you can minimize your child's sleeping apprehension by adhering to a consistent bedtime schedule and routine. Transitional objects, such as blankets or stuffed animals, also give children comfort and enable them to fall asleep.
Difficulty Falling Asleep
Sleep-onset anxiety causes a child to have problems falling asleep. This condition often stems from a child's worry or fear about a perceived stressful event or an actual trauma. The disorder most often occurs when a child reaches elementary school, especially in the year's preceding middle school. You can help your child fall asleep with reassurance and a calm, enjoyable bedtime routine such as reading a favorite book. Cognitive therapy prescribed by your doctor may also prove helpful. This method trains children to use coping strategies to ease their worries.
Nightmares
Nightmares are a common occurrence that can cause a great deal of anxiety in children, particularly if they are awakened by the bad dreams. Scary dreams can begin at any age and tend to affect girls more than boys. Offer assurance if your child wakes up from a nightmare.
Practice Healthy Sleep Hygiene
Encourage healthy sleep habits from a young age. While rocking an infant to sleep is acceptable, once the child becomes a toddler, encourage sleep without feeding or rocking, so that your child learns to go to sleep alone. Also avoid giving your child foods containing caffeine prior to bedtime such as sodas and chocolate.
Considerations
Persistent sleep problems can be a sign of more serious conditions requiring medical treatment, such as anxiety disorders, depression or post traumatic stress disorder. Children exposed to traumatic situations such as the death or absence of a family member display a wide variety of symptoms, including sleep disorders. Seek professional assistance if you suspect that your child's sleeplessness is caused by a more serious matter.
References
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Children's Sleep Problems; July 2004
- University of Michigan Health System; Sleep Problems; Kyla Boyse; November 2010
- Psych Central; Child Sleep Problems May Be Linked to Depression or Anxiety; Rick Nauert PhD; June 9, 2008
- National Association of School Psychologists; Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents - Information for Parents and Educators; Peg Dawson; 2004
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service; Recognizing Stress in Children; Traci A. Johnston; March 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Pacifiers - Are They Good for Your Baby? Aug. 27, 2011
