Like adults, children with insomnia either have trouble going to sleep, staying asleep, or are simply not well rested after what should be a normal amount of time sleeping.
There are a number of symptoms that shows insomnia in children:
- memory troubles
- hyperactivity
- aggressiveness
- a decreased attention period
- irritability
- mood swings
Causes of insomnia in children:
Childhood insomnia is believed to be caused by two main reasons: the failure to assign and keep a bed time for a child is the most common, and can often turn into insomnia for a child will not be able to create and develop a sleeping pattern. Therefore it is essential for the parents to insist on a bedtime hour and also ensure that it is followed accordingly.
The second reason for childhood insomnia is also known as sleep onset association disorder and it occurs due to the absence of a familiar object or activity that a child may have developed with time such as a blanket, watching television before sleeping, rocking, singing at bed time and so on.
Common causes of insomnia can include:
- poor sleep habits
- caffeine
- stress
- obstructive sleep apnea (snoring)
- side effects of medications, including stimulants used to treat ADHD, antidepressants, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsants
- asthma (coughing)
- eczema (itching)
- depression
- anxiety
- restless legs syndrome
- neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, mental retardation, and Asperger’s syndrome
Treatments for insomnia in children:
Childhood insomnia is a very delicate issue, is usually treated through some life style changes, food eating
pattern and sometimes exercises and television watching. In some cases hypnosis may be advised in order to restore a child natural sleeping habit. Very rarely are insomnia medications prescribed for children and if they are it will be for a limited time only in order not to create a habit of the same. Medications which are sometimes used when necessary and appropriate do include:
- sedating antidepressants, including amitriptyline and remeron
- melatonin
- clonidine, especially if your child also has ADHD or behavior problems
- risperdal, especially if your child also has autism or behavior problems
- antihistamines, although these commonly cause daytime drowsiness and would just be used for a very short period of time
Non-drug treatments for primary insomnia, or childhood insomnia that is not caused by another medical condition, can include:
- restricting time spent in bed to simply sleeping, which means no reading, doing homework, or watching TV in bed
- having a very consistent schedule of when your child goes to bed and wakes up, including weekends and holidays
- teaching your child about relaxation techniques, including diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visual imagery, which he can use when he is going to sleep
- stopping stimulating activities 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime, such as playing video games, watching TV, or talking on the phone
- getting out of bed and doing something quiet, such as reading, if your child doesn’t fall asleep within 10 to 20 minutes
- avoiding caffeine
- exercising regularly
Children are very fragile and often their natural system and habits can be easily disrupted when you are not paying attention; these small mistakes done during their childhood can affect and mark their entire life changing their careers and life decisions.
Documentary source: http://pediatrics.about.com
