Whats the cause of nightmares?
• Stress can be one of the leading causes as well as causing other sleep problems. Sometimes just the normal stresses associated with growing up are enough to trigger a nightmare. • Illness, especially when your child has a fever is another cause of nightmares. • A traumatic event such as divorce or a death in the family. • Watching scary TV shows, even cartoons. Trauma can be real or imagined. • Children with a vivid imagination can be especially prone. Imaginations still keep working after we’re asleep! • Fear – especially fear of the dark can be a major reasons for nightmares in younger children. • Some types of medication. Can we get rid of nightmares? While we’ll probably never completely eliminate them, there’s a few things we can do to diffuse these childhood nightmares and help ease your child’s fears. • Install a night light in your child’s bedroom if they’re afraid of the dark. These are safe, low wattage lights that cast a reassuring glow. • Always go straight in to your chi
