10yr old hugr anxiety issues around bedtime. Not sure what to do?

[jurrasicgirl]

My 10yr old ds has suddenly in the last 2 weeks started to have panic attacks about going to sleep. These have presented themselves as him thinking he is going to be sick, terrible stomach cramps and fast breathing and heart beating fast. I have tried using relaxation techniques to help him relax, he has no screens an HR before bed, he goes to bed between 8.30 and 9 but isn't falling asleep until 1/2 am!! He is so tired. We have put him in with his little brother which helped for a couple of days but has started again. We have taken a very understanding approach to this at the moment but I'm struggling because I don't know how to help him. Should I take him to the doctors or does anyone have any tips they can share to help lower his anxiety levels? He says he doesn't like to sleep because something could happen to him or someone might change everything in his bedroom (this has never happened to him or anyone we know). He also struggles with processing due to his dyslexia which I think could be the crux. I just don't know what to do!

[Scoopofchaff]

First: don't worry! This is more common than you might think. I am sure there have been other instances of DC going through this reported on Mnsnet if you want to do a quick search.

My nephew went through this exact same thing when he was 13 yrs; thinking he was going to die in his sleep etc, and it was a phase, and he grew out of it.

A meditation cd helped as did normal reassurance and I think his mother slept in his room on a camp bed with him for a couple of nights.

Obviously, go to gp or seek professional help if it's getting worse/not improving/you are worried etc but otherwise would suggest: lots of exercise, good food, fun group activities (to distact) and telling your son repeatedly this is normal and he is normal and we all have fears from time to time.

The risk is that he gets in to a cycle of being afraid of the panic attacks, rather than the thing that was originally upsetting him ifysim, so definitely discuss this openly, don't let it escalate by becoming "the big scary thing we don't talk about", reassure him and perhaps let him look at some literature from Young Minds/NHS on panic cycles or some such.

Hope things improve soon op.

[jurrasicgirl]

Thankyou. I hadn't thought it could be fear of the fear. I think this may be a big part of it. Thanks also for reassuring me that it is normal! I thought we were through the worst of the slepp issues a few years ago!