Pre Teen Insomnia & Anxiety

[ElleA]

Could anyone give me some advice on how to deal with my 12 year old DD?s anxiety and insomnia? She?s always been an anxious girl but lately, she?s getting herself into a real state at bedtime as she?s having trouble getting to sleep. She worries that everyone else falls asleep before her leaving her in a panic and a real state, unable to keep still, in and out of bed etc. I?ve tried to relax her with lavender, telling her to have a bubble bath before bed , reading etc, but I wonder why she?s feeling like this. I?m putting it down to hormones and maybe her periods are about to start but any advice would be great. I can totally sympathise with how she's feeling as I've had this trouble before especiallywith anxiety and depression and it upsets me that she could be the same.

[Hermit]

My dd aged 11 is like this, with many other anxiety problems too. Will be interested in other replies. We have two books by Dawn Huebner - What to do when you Dread your bed, and What to do when you worry too much. got them from Amazon. They have been helpful in helping dd exert some control over the situation, and giving us some strategies to use. we are having a particularly bad time at the moment as dd has a residential trip coming up which she is terrified of, but feels she needs to go as she would be the only one in her year not going. I am investigating mild sedatives/herbal remedies but don't really want to go down that route. She has a lavender spray from Boots which she sprays on her pillow which helps. Someimes playing a relaxation tape does the trick. good luck in finding a solution.

[Hermit]

My dd aged 11 is like this, with many other anxiety problems too. Will be interested in other replies. We have two books by Dawn Huebner - What to do when you Dread your bed, and What to do when you worry too much. got them from Amazon. They have been helpful in helping dd exert some control over the situation, and giving us some strategies to use. We are having a particularly bad time at the moment as dd has a residential trip coming up which she is terrified of, but feels she needs to go as she would be the only one in her year not going. I am investigating mild sedatives/herbal remedies but don't really want to go down that route. She has a lavender spray from Boots which she sprays on her pillow which helps. Sometimes playing a relaxation tape does the trick. Good luck in finding a solution.

[deaddei]

DD was like this, but she had ocd and was saying prayers for 2 hours before sleeping
We had cbt and hypnotherapy which helped.i

Is she worried about going back to school/friendship issues?

[rey]

No advice/tips unfortunately. My dc goes through stages with this. All I can do is hold hands and offer lots of hugs and reassurance that it will pass. We chat and I stay awake until sure they have gone off finally. For us it used to be whenever some change was coming up like Hermit but of late it has just happened from over-thinking or from no reason at all.

[ElleA]

Thanks everyone for replying. Will get those books I think they'll help . She had a bad time the other night and breathing in and out of a paper bag seemed to help. She had a bit of a pamper and had hair done in a salon today which cheered her up. Maybe school is a worry for her I used to dread going back too. I got her some Kalms too as they can be taken from age 12 .

[dottygamekeeper]

My son age 13 has phases of this, he often gets either angry or upset at bedtime, and I found Rescue Remedy dropps and cream helped. The cream in particular - he rubs it onto the inside of his wrists. I can't decide if it is the Rescue Remedy, or merely the ritual of rubbing it in and a placebo effect. Maybe worth a try?

[whitecloud]

EllE - I have been suffering from anxiety and depression after a bereavement and was sleeping very badly. I consulted a hypnotherapist - not cheap, but very helpful. She gave me a relaxation tape which I listen to on an IPod before going to sleep. It has really helped me relax. I am sure there are relaxation CDs available and wonder if these would help you dd?

[purplepetunia]

Try a Yoga class for children/teens. It is not a quick fix, but with practice your DD will feel the benefit.Best wishes-OM-Shanti