Argh...teen with insomnia

[honey]

My 13 year old daughter has had insomnia for a couple weeks. She usually falls asleep just fine, then wakes around 1-3 and can't get back to sleep. She gets very scared.

When she sleeps with me or comes in, she wakes me up constantly because she is tossing and turning or is terrified by every little noise and wants me to investigate.

Here is what we've tried: homeopathics (calms forte), a tincture with lemon balm, kava, passionflower, and valerian. They didn't work.

She took Tylenol PM twice and it worked, but I don't want to make that a habit.

Help! Has anyone dealt with this? Any thoughts?

[Annie_Darlene]

I had that when I was 13 or 14, too.
Now I'm 15 and I got over it.

Don't give your daughter anything like pills or medication.
Usually this is more a soul-problem.

Is she having problems with friends or school or family members?
Is she constantly worrying about something when she lays in bed and trys to sleep?

I was always worrying about my bad marks in maths.
It took me a lot of time to learn how to "stop thinking" when I want to sleep.
I had to learn it.

First, I didn't go to bed until I'm really tired, usually thats like 23:00. I know, thats late if you consider that i have to get up by 6 in the morning but if I go to bed sooner I can't fall to sleep, keep turning and thinking and it's impossible to catch any relaxing sleep.

Listening to music before going to bed helps, too.
Or cuddling with my cats. (If u don't have pets: it's not the pet, it's the fact that the cat makes me feel safe. so anything that makes your daughter feel safe and comfortable is good)

And if she wakes up in the night, tell her to stay in her bed, don't worry about what time it is and just relax.

This is the best method, at least for me.
It makes everyone in the house going nuts if I get up at 4 in the morning and start reading with my lights on or anything like that. And if I get up I won't fall asleep that night anymore. And that's bad.

[honey]

Annie-

Thanks so much for your advice. I am going to print your reply out for her to read. I think she does worry a lot about problems with friends and school, she is a total worrywart.

[GruppieGirl]

I experiences the same thing as a teen. The problem was that I wasn't eating enough. Do you see her eat meals?

Not to scare you, but insomnia was my first symptom of anoxreia.

Hope all turns out well!

[honey]

Whoa...I think you nailed it. she does eat plenty, *but* she does have diarrhea frequently right before bed(whenever she has sugar) so maybe the result is the same
since hypoglycemia does cause insomnia...I'll have her put some crackers or something next to her bed.
THANKS!

[GruppieGirl]

Honey~Glad I could help. Hope you have found your solution!