7 Year Old Won't Sleep

Updated on December 09, 2008
P.S. asks from Warren, MI
4 answers

I have a 7 year old son. He has been diagnosed with A.D.D. he is focalin xr which he does very well on and has helped very much. He also has aniexty issues (ie. going to the bathroom by himself, going into rooms by himself. The doctors tell me once we get the ADD under control that the anxieties will improve. We do a reward system for going in the bathroom by himself. The problem is he won't stay asleep. He has been this was since an infant. Very light sleeper. Now he will wake up and WON'T go back to sleep. No matter What my husband or I do he is wide awake. Sometimes he goes to school with less 3hours asleep. I have talked to his doctors the suggested Melatonin to help assist him sleep. I have tired various night lights, leaving the TV on (which I am against but I tired anyway) We play relaxtion cd's. Our bedtime routine has never changed bath, relax, bed. When he goes to sleep he falls right to sleep, my husband or I have to stay in the room until he falls alseep. Which it has always been that way. We also have a 3 year old who shares a bedroom with him so know the 3 year old will not go to sleep unless someone sits with him and sometimes when the 7 year old is up in the middle of the night he wakes him up then i have two awake. I want to be patient with him but at 2:00 am i find myself angry, yelling at him because he is not even trying to go to sleep he just cries and says he can't. If you ask him why he's says he just can't go back to sleep. I am at my wits end my husband tries to help but ends up making it worse then i would have if i just stayed up so i don't even wake him up anymore i just stay up with him or try to sleep in the family room him. I don't know what to do or whatelse to try. He is taking the melatonin and so far has not helped. When he had a cold and i gave him benedryl at night he slept most of the night and got up at 5 am which was really good for him. I can't give him benedryl every night. I work 50 hours a week, my husband works 50-60 a week. Only getting a few hours alseep is taking it's toll i feel like i did when they were infants had to stay up for feedings. I don't know if it's from the anxiety, one of the doctors told me it's not uncommon for kids with A.D.D to have sleep issues. I know it's not the medication because he always been this way it's just worse and it's harder because of him sharing a room now. Does anyone have any ideas? I am willing to try anything at this pointe. I am worried because it's not healthy for him and I want to help him get past this. It breakes my heart to see him cry and so miserable when he doesn't sleep.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

Many anxious people do not sleep well... when you are feeling anxious.. you are in a panic hyperalert state.. so when your son wakes up in the middle of the night.. I am sure that he immediately starts worrying and fretting about whatever it is that is scaring him/

Do you have a psyciatrist for him... There may be sleeping pills that are safe and effective for children. Benadryl may also be safe and effective for kids.

The less he sleeps the more anxious he will become as sleep is when the body resets itself..
I would see a child psychiatrist and see if there isnt a medication that can help-- maybe everynight for a while and then as needed... the childs lack of sleep is effecting everyone is the house...

1 mom found this helpful
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J.H.

answers from Detroit on

P.,
Have you ever thought of trying to treat your son with natural methods? I know it sounds almost silly and, believe me, I never used to be the kind of person that would suggest "natural healing" but I've witnessed this to work... My nephew has Aspergers (which has many similar symptoms of ADD) and he has benefitted tremendously from this natural healing program - in fact, before starting the healing program, he was considered Autistic and his recent re-diagnosis as Aspergers is a vast improvement. There is a book called "Healing the New Childhood Epidemic: Autism, ADHD, Allergies, and Asthma" by Dr. Kenneth Bock which outlines the program and also offers many stories of kids with the four disorders. Like your doctor said, it's very common for kids with Autism and ADHD to have many sleep issues. My nephew used to have a horrible time going to sleep and (like your son) often awoke in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back asleep. My sister in law and her husband would have to lay with him to go to sleep for many, many years. Since starting this healing program, he is a MUCH better sleeper - in fact, they only ahve to put him in his room and say goodnight now and 95% of the time, he sleeps through the night, no problem. I even recently read the book even though my daughter doesn't exhibit symptoms of any of the disorders. I wanted to read it because of the importance it places on healthy, balanced diets and nutrition. It was very educational for me. It's hard to believe that just by simply changing a child's diet, you can treat and sometimes practically "cure" them from these disorders but it is happening all the time now. Many kids with ADD/ADHD even get to the point where they don't need any medication - just an altered diet (sometimes removing dairy and/or wheat) and nutritional supplements. Best of luck as I can imagine that this is weighing on your heart.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

I would try putting him to bed earlier; it couldn't hurt. Rested children have an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep. Also kids that are over tired can exhibit ADD symptoms since they are always running on that "second wind". Good luck and happy sleeping.

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C.C.

answers from Detroit on

P.,

For the most part my children are good sleepers but have a tendency to come to our bed in the middle of the night. I feel for you and your little guy. My daughter is also seven years old and is currently delayed in school. She has a habit of chewing on her lips to the point they're raw. When things are going better at school I see a great improvment in her mouth.

Our pediatrician has recommended for us to give our children Benadryl for a few nights just to get them in the habit of going to sleep and staying asleep. I know it sounds awful but I do think it is a habit that they get into and don't know how to stop. I've seen a great improvment when they've had a cold and received nighttime cold meds.

Hang in there. I'll be praying for you and your family. :)

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