Diagnosis

It is not always easy for parents to determine whether their child suffers from a sleep disorder. Especially with the first child, many parents have not yet experienced comparable situations and therefore have no experiences to fall back on. The pediatrician can act as the first point of contact; he or she knows the age- and development-specific sleep patterns and can give the parents initial indications of the cause.

Furthermore, if the cause is not clear, an examination in the sleep laboratory can also help to get to the bottom of the causes of sleep disorders. Here the children are observed in their sleep and at the same time certain body functions such as breathing, heartbeat etc. can be measured. With sleep disturbances, which were caused by psychological problems a child and youth therapist can be if necessary the correct partner for parents and child

Other accompanying symptoms

Especially a pronounced daytime tiredness is a typical accompanying symptom of a childhood sleep disorder. Due to the sleep deficit, children often have problems concentrating. In smaller children, an unbalanced and tearful behavior can be an indication of a lack of sleep.

Also “overactive” behavior with a strong urge to exercise can occasionally be seen in children suffering from sleep disorders. Likewise a behavior disturbance or an aggressive behavior can occur with children with sleep disturbances. Depressive episodes can also be found as an accompanying symptom in children.

If the sleep disorder is caused by snoring or shortness of breath, the typical breathing or snoring sounds are heard during sleep. Sometimes the parents also take breathing breaks. In addition, restless sleep can be heard, some children also sweat a lot. In addition, walking around in sleep can be counted among the possible symptoms.

Therapy

If a child’s sleep disturbances are caused by unfavorable living conditions or changes in his or her usual living circumstances, the first thing to do is of course to break through them. Measures that contribute to a good and sleep-promoting behavior are also called sleep hygiene.For example In the childhood the changing sleep times are particularly frequent a problem, thus it applies to provide above all these by firm structures to break through the sleep disturbance. With psychological loads must be weighed out individually, which measures come to the child and its sleep behavior to property.

Children can be very burdened by situations such as a divorce of the parents, in this case it is up to the parents to reduce the stress and anxiety feelings of the child. This is not always an easy task for the parents, a child or family therapist can offer support. For children with mental illnesses such as depression or schizophrenia or even ADHD, a child or adolescent therapist should be consulted.

If necessary, also a child psychiatrist. Here it must also be checked whether the sleeping behaviour is caused by the illness itself or by medication. Also with children with psychological disturbances it applies to pay attention beyond that to a good sleep hygiene, particularly with the children with ADHS firm rising and bed times can work benevolently on the sleep behavior

Fixed bedtime and stand-up times,
No encouraging drinks or food before bedtime,
No TV, video games or cell phones right before bedtime,
A quiet, familiar environment with adequate ventilation.