SLEEP PROBLEMS

For some children and young people, a symptom of trauma may be sleep difficulties such as nightmares and insomnia. A child may also have many worries before they go to bed or find it difficult being away from their parent/carer, especially if the child is in a position of feeling responsible or needing to protect their parent or sibling so is constrained by the fear that something bad may happen if they were to sleep.

Once the child is asleep, nightmares can frighten them back awake resulting in recurrent and perpetual problems.

Adults can also struggle with sleep due to flashbacks and other uncontrollable trauma memories which disturb them as their subconscious processes their experiences.

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WHAT ARE THE MOST HELPFUL THINGS WE CAN DO?

FOR CHILDREN

  • Ask if the child has a cuddly toy or blanket they could feel comforted by.

  • Suggest a bed time routine with worship music or calm music to help them drift to sleep

  • Suggest that they have time to talk about worries before bedtime, maybe while drawing, colouring or reading a book before you go to the bedroom

    FOR ADULTS

  • They may need to draw or write lists or poetry to enable some of their overwhelming feelings to be expressed before bed.

  • They may need a good sleep routine such as no screens, calming music and drink, no conflict and a warm bath.