Daughter can't sleep

[mdy459]

I have a 9 year old daughter.  She hasn't slept well since she was about 5 and the doc suggested we use melatonin.  Well now it doesn't work.  Neither does any other herbal med.  I don't want her on stronger med, but I need her to sleep.  She has had her tonsils out, she is on the swim team so she works out every day, and is to be in bed by 8pm.  I don't know what else to do.

We were told it could be PTSD from her father being deployed when she was three, (he returned when she was 5).  She has nightmares and nightterrors.  The psychologists say they can't help due to the fact that she doesn't remember them.

I was suggested by a friend to do a very restrictive diet, but that seems very harsh to me, since she has no symptoms of ADHD, or ADD.  

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help,
Amanda

[ponderousmom]

maybe its not a mental disorder at all--my 10 yr old has never slept good.  we have a simple home life, theres no extreme chaos, but still, he wouldnt stay asleep, he would wake up 2-3 times a night screaming without an explanation.  well--he had reflux when he was born, and they didnt tell us much we could do to help him--i dont know if it was a bad doc or what, but anyways, my daughter has it too, and ive learned alot about it--and they dont always completely outgrow it.  we changed some eating habits and tipped his bed, and for the past 4 mos, hes slept!!!

[jdtm]

I expect your daughter is suffering from anxiety.  Treatment for anxiety is intervention, therapy and/or medication.  Sometimes, medication is the only answer after all other avenues have been explored.  I might suggest you ask for a referral from your family physician for a child psychiatrist, or child neurologist, or any mental health specialist with experience in anxiety disorders.  It appears as if the psychologist you are using is not sufficiently experienced in childhood anxiety disorders.  By the way, if your daughter is suffering from anxiety, this disorder is highly treatable, but it will not go away nor will your daughter outgrow it.