sleep disorder

[racros]

Does anyone know of a cure for headbanging during sleep. My 12 year old son does this regularly. He lies on his front,  lifts himself up and then drops onto the mattress or pillow. (he also often bends his leg and drops this) He has done this since he was about 18 months but obviously as he gets older and heavier he is making much more noise and waking everyone up. The doctors don't know why he does this and have always said he will grow out of it but I'm still waiting!

[dirtyharriet]

I'd be interested in hearing if there's any helpful hints too. My son is 8 and has been doing this since he was 3. He chants too so we have to go and shout at him 2 or 3 times a night. You have my full empathy. We were told he'd grow out of it by age 7 and we are still waiting til we can get a full night's sleep.

[Hamish]

If they are asleap it could be a nightmare thing. I used to wander the house and talk rubbish when I was about this age. Try going an and resting a hand on them and tell them it's all right and let them know they are safe. I have found this helps when my wife has nightmares. this way they will learn to deal with the nightmares.

 

Remember they may not remember having a nightmare!

[madamweb]

Hi, what your son does is called rhythmic movement disorder. I am 22 years of age and I still suffer from it. Although I have been advised by my GP that most people grow out of it in childhood. I saw a documentary on this disorder on BBC1 in June 2003, they suggested having a child sleep in a hammock, that way they cant headbang. My partner just wakes me up when I do it and I go back to sleep. I think thats all there really is you can do. Hope I've been of some help.

[starz18]

Hey everyone, im 24 years old. I have been banging my head for as long as I can remember. I also sometimes do it with my leg, but I pretty much stopped that years ago. I didnt really know I did that, sometimes I would wake up from it. My parents sometimes would hear it if they were downstairs. i was always embarr. to sleep at someones house, afraid I would bang my head. I found myself waking up and knowing I was doing that. I also realized that I would not bang my head at someones house b/c I did not feel comfortable. i only did it in my own bed. Your children may or may not grow out of it. Just have to wait I guess