Help for Sleep Problems
Sleep problems can come in many different types. Some sleep problems are about difficulty falling asleep (we call this "onset" of sleep). Other sleep problems are about staying asleep (we call this "latency"). The reasons for these sleep problems can be something in the environment, something in the body or something in your mind. Sometimes these answers can be simple such as if there is a creaky floor board or a noise outside and it wakes you up, or drinking a lot and needing to go to the bathroom, or they can be a little more challenging like not wanting to be away from parents or be in the dark alone, or a brain that doesn't stop thinking and struggles to turn off at night. Your Pediatrician or Family Doctor can help you figure out why a sleep problem is happening and may advise you about solutions such as whether using Melatonin would be helpful. There are special tests that a sleep doctor (a "Somnologist") can do at a hospital if the problem is especially difficult to figure out.
When the problem is about separating from parents, fears or worries, nightmares, brain that won't slow down to rest or another mind problem, a licensed mental health professional who is a Feeling Helper can help you work on what is causing the sleep problem. Sleep problems and eating problems can tell us that something isn't working right and needs attention like a warning light to look at what is happening. It could be a problem with thoughts, feelings, or sense of safety that needs help to make sleeping problems better or it might be about creating a routine that helps your mind and body be ready for bed at the right time. A Feeling Helper can work together with your doctor to make sure you are getting the help you need.
What Parents Can Do to Help
Some problems can be resolved by parents and kids at home. Tips for parents to help their children with healthy sleep habits are available HERE.
Sleep Problems that Feeling Helpers Help
When the problem is about separating from parents, fears or worries, nightmares, brain that won't slow down to rest or another mind problem, a licensed mental health professional who is a Feeling Helper can help you work on what is causing the sleep problem. Sleep problems and eating problems can tell us that something isn't working right and needs attention like a warning light to look at what is happening. It could be a problem with thoughts, feelings, or sense of safety that needs help to make sleeping problems better or it might be about creating a routine that helps your mind and body be ready for bed at the right time. A Feeling Helper can work together with your doctor to make sure you are getting the help you need.
What Parents Can Do to Help
Some problems can be resolved by parents and kids at home. Tips for parents to help their children with healthy sleep habits are available HERE.
Sleep Problems that Feeling Helpers Help
- Frequent Nightmares or Night Terrors: It's normal for children to have nightmares or night terrors occasionally like when they have a fever or watch something scary. When nightmares are becoming more frequent or when children become inconsolable, it's time to see a Feeling Helper.
- Nightly Bedtime Meltdowns: When children go to bed late, get overtired, or struggle with ending device time, bedtime meltdowns are likely for most children. However, if bedtime is turning into a family warzone, a Feeling Helper can help you develop ways to work together better, plan a routine that works, and deal with any underlying issues making it difficult for your child to settle in to bedtime or for parents to agree on how to handle bedtime issues.
- Difficulty falling asleep: Many children try to stretch bedtime routines as long as possible, but some children really struggle with the transition from wake to sleep. Routine and consistency are critical as well as practicing "good sleep hygiene" (See What Parents Can Do to Help handout)
- Fears or Worries: Common fears of the dark or of monsters in the closet can be particularly hard to overcome for some kids. When fears or worries start to limit sleep, it's time to get some help to boss back those worries that are taking over. Some children, especially gifted children are more likely to struggle with big worries about things like war and crisis situations. After a death, during times of change or loss, and after a scary event children can be especially impacted. Sometimes these changes are temporary but when the sleep problems don't get better, working with a Feeling Helper can get things back on track.
