10 Causes Of Night Terrors In Toddlers
Nobody likes nightmares, but in children, the issue can be especially problematic. One of the reason that nightmares may be so difficult when they are experienced by toddlers is because they might not have the proper knowledge to explain their problems properly. Depending on how developed their language skills are, they may have a hard time discussing the problem.
Furthermore, it can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the nightmares. Many people are able to identify the cause of their nightmares by observing the underlying themes and symbols present in their dreams. Unfortunately, toddlers may not have the awareness to draw these conclusions.
There are also a lot of physiological things that can contribute to nightmares in both adults and toddlers. These things can be identified and corrected if they are suspected to be causing recurring nightmares. These are ten of the most common things that can cause nightmares in toddlers. If your toddler does any of these things or experiences any of these issues on a regular basis and they have been having nightmares, then maybe you can make some lifestyle changes that will help them eliminate their nightmares.
Cause #1: Anxiety
It might not be easy to identify anxiety in a toddler. Many adults are able to identify the sources of their anxiety – it may be related to work, school, or family issues.
Just because a toddler can’t always express themselves as well as an adult doesn’t mean that they’re not prone to anxiety. If you think that your toddler is suffering from anxiety then it’s quite possible that this anxiety might contribute to nightmares. They may be anxious about their living situation or some of the people that they live with.
Cause #2: Depression
It is quite rare for toddlers to become seriously depressed. However, if the toddler has spent time in an unhealthy environment or with unhealthy people, it is quite possible that they will develop depression at an early age.
If this is the case, then their depression may contribute to nightmares. If this is the case, don’t think about getting them on antidepressants – find a healthy and holistic solution to their issue.
Cause #3: Medication
Some children who are suffering from serious illnesses may require medication to ease their symptoms or help the illness as it progresses.
Unfortunately, many medications are known to interfere with the sleeping process. One of the most common problems associated with medications, particularly sleeping pills, is recurrent nightmares.
Cause #4: Seizures
Seizures can be caused by a number of problems. Epilepsy can be hereditary, and some children have been known to suffer fairly frequent seizure attacks.
One of the problems associated with having seizures is nightmares. These nightmares generally occur on the same day that the seizures occur and can vary in intensity depending on how often the seizures have occurred.
Cause #5: Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a problem in which a person stops breathing in their sleep. This is often attributed to older people but toddlers can suffer from sleep apnea as well.
If your toddler is experiencing sleep apnea then you will probably be able to tell because they will appear to have gaps in their breathing during sleep. They will often overcompensate by taking a huge breath after not breathing for a while.
Cause #6: Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis can be caused by a number of things. It’s a condition in which a person experiences partial or full body paralysis before going to sleep, or immediately upon awakening.
Some people are aware of the benefits of sleep paralysis. It can be considered a useful tool for helping people explore the hypnagogic states of consciousness and partake in lucid dreaming. However, toddlers are often unaware of the potential benefits of sleep paralysis.
Many people – toddlers and adults alike – will find sleep paralysis terrifying and will not associate it with anything positive. It can thus contribute to nightmares and other unpleasant sleeping experiences.
Cause #7: PTSD
PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a condition that’s caused by a person experiencing a seriously traumatic situation. Situations similar to those that were traumatic can cause flashbacks or anxiety, and can contribute to nightmares.
It’s not terribly common for toddlers to suffer from PTSD, but it does happen. If a toddler has gone through something seriously stressful during their infancy, they may be triggered by certain things as they grow older. It is a good idea to try to identify the problem before it progresses into a more serious issue.
Cause #8: Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation can cause a number of problems, such as hallucinations, delusions, and other issues. It can also contribute to nightmares.
If your toddler is not able to get enough sleep in a night then it’s possible there is another underlying condition involved. Sleep is incredibly important, especially for young children and toddlers, so if your toddler is not able to get a good night’s sleep then you should make sure that you figure out the problem and make sure that they are well-rested.
Cause #9: Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is a condition in which a person feels a sensation in their legs or arms that causes them to feel the need to move the respective part of their body. It most often occurs in the legs but can occur in the arms, usually in the upper arms.
The desire to move can be so intense that it prevents a person from sleeping, and this can lead to sleep deprivation and the related nightmares. This condition can be an indication of a neurological problem.
Cause #10: Eating Too Soon Before Bed
Another thing that contributes to nightmares in both children and adults is eating too soon before they fall asleep. It’s not healthy to eat within two hours of falling asleep because doing so causes your metabolism to spike.
Your metabolism requires quite a bit of your body’s energy, and if you’re sleeping while your metabolism is working in full-force then you won’t be able to get the rest that you need. This, in turn, can increase the chances of having nightmares.
