I posted this as well in sleep disorders but here may be better...thank you.

My 8 yr old son has always been a good sleeper until about 2 weeks ago. One night he had a very bad nightmare that was accompanied by sleepwalking (He was crying hysterically in his sleep and kept saying he couldn't find me....his mom). It was very scary and unnerving for both of us. Since that night he first off is afraid to go to sleep because he will have 'the nightmare' again. I have tried relaxing/soothing bedtime routine to no avail. Have also tired 'dreamcatchers', again no luck. After about an hour he usually falls asleep but nightly since that night he has started to sleep walk. Usually around 2am he comes to me, again crying and disraught. It usually involves him being worried about something but honestly he usually is just speaking incoherently and crying. I guide him back to bed and settle him back in and usually some point during this process he 'comes to' and then we have a hug and he goes back to sleep. I don't. I am exhausted! Between trying to get him to sleep, listening for him sleepwalking, and being woken every night (I then have a hard time falling back to sleep of course) I am surviving on very little broken up sleep.

Other than the nightmare, nothing precipitated all this except right before this we had all been on a 2 week long vacation together when we all shared the same room. Sometimes in the past, going back to sleeping in own room has taken a couple nights transition, but that is just in the falling to sleep phase.

I have talked to my son about anything that might be bothering him and he has no clue, except being scared to sleep because of the horrible nightmare he had.

I would really appreciate any advice on how to help him.

Thank you in advance.

My son went through this as a child and what helped the most was setting up a cot in our bedroom for a while. He was 6-7 when it happened, and while he wasn't as distressed as your son sounds, it made a lot of difference in a fairly short while. It was as if he could relax knowing I was within reach of his hand, and once it settled down we started him back in his own room with a light etc. I hope he gets over it soon, it must be terrifying for him.

Okay. What you are describing is more common than you might think. The actual sleep disorder that causes sleepwalking, is also referred to as somnambulism.

Somnambulism sounds nasty but it is just a big name that is characterized by walking or other physical activities during sleep.. this includes talking, shouting out, fighting with your pillows or spouse. Sleepwalking is common in children –- up to 15 percent of children have had this problem. It can occur at any age. In children, it can be associated with sleep deprivation or anxiety. So look into childhood sleep apnea the main cause of sleep deprivation in a child, and ways to alleviate anxiety and stress. There is a good sleep hygiene post on the sleep disorders board on the specialists recommendations for getting the most restful sleep.

Hope this helps and I will keep an eye out just incase you have more questions.

Sincerely,
MG