5yo has never, ever slept through the night, and I don't know what to do for her

[babypowder]

DD1, who is 5, has never had an unbroken night's sleep. She often has terrible nightmares about 90 minutes after going to sleep. She will sit up in her bed, screaming and fighting off unknown assailants - she doesn't wake up, although her eyes are open - and she becomes so hysterical that she sometimes makes herself sick. Only once she has become hysterical does she wake up.

Other nights she will sleep for approx 4hrs before she goes walkabout. She will then come into our bed, and fall into such a deep sleep that I can't wake her.

We're trying to sort out DD2s sleep patterns now (she's only 1, and we're working on her routine), but DD1 keeps waking her.

I would love to have a good night's sleep, and given the toll this must surely be taking on DD1, I feel she MUST have a good night's sleep.

Any ideas?

Just a quick update. I saw our GP today. I can't say that it was a hugely successful appointment. She asked me about the stress in our lives, how DH and I are getting on (we're a very happy, loving family, FWIW). I did tell her about a period of depression I had about 2 years ago but didn't recognise until after the event.

She has suggested that I move DD2 (1yo) into DD1s room and let DD1 be 'in charge'at bedtime. I'll try anything!

At least I know that it's on her records now, so if things don't settle down in a month or two then I will go back.

I can't help feeling a wee bit paranoid now, given the emphasis the doc put on our home lives. I know that emotional difficulties generally start with the parents, but I don't think DD1 has any real emotional problems. She's happy, does well at school, has a few close friends, etc.

Just to say please ignore the GP re depression/home life, or if you think she's making a big deal out of it next time you see her calmly explain that you feel she perhaps doesn't understand the exact nature of situationla depression.

Situational depression is a very antural reaction when you are in a situation (liek not getting any sleep for 2-5 yrs) that causes you lots of megatice emotions and/or has a negative imapct on your health/finances etc.

It is actually more worrying if you DON'T get depressed (or at least a bit blue) because it is not normal or healthy to go through something as stressful as this and nto have a reaction. If you don't get upset/depressed about it you are either a buddhist (flippant comment but I mean that you have extraordinary calm and inner resources) OR you are inacapable of realising the reality of the situation/ switched off emotionally.

And of course it also impacts on the relationships in the household. It sounds like she was making the basic mistake of confusing cause and effect.

As for the sleep issues, wish I had soem adivce but all I have is hugs. Night terrors are horrible, I have had them since I was about 3, never found anything which helps.