childs refusal to sleep because she thinks she might get sick

[paularossijr]

I have a 9 and a half year old child who refuses to go to sleep.  We have never had this problem before and do not know what to do.  She thinks she  is going to throwup or get sick somehow.  Please help with any suggestions thank you.

[koukla29]

Is there any reason why she thinks she will get sick?  Did she wake up sick one night and vomit?  I think if there is a reason she feels this way, maybe get her checked out by the pediatrician to make sure she is no longer sick.  However, if there isn't a serious concern for her health, I would let her try staying up for a night or two.  I doubt she will stay up all the night.  

If this continues or her fear gets worse, I would think about how to make her feel more comfortable.  Would a waste basket make her feel better near her bed?  Does she need to eat earlier or eat lighter foods at night?

Vomiting can be very traumatic for some children.  My feeling is that this will pass, but if it doesn't, think about ways to make her feel more comfortable incase in happens again.  Good luck!

[paularossijr]

Thank you for your reply.  My daughter threw up 1 time on our spring break vacation due to some medicine she was taking for a UTI infection.  Ever since then she has not been the same.  Every time their is any type of stress in her life whether it be going to bed or doing something she is unsure of she starts saying she doen't feel good.  We have been to the Dr. and had tests done for her stomach and everything came back neg.  

Our next step is thearapy which she is currently doing.  We have tried everthing to help her. Starting with having a bedtime ritual, changing her room around,  putting push lights up so she can read for alittle while if she is not tired when we leave her room.  You name it we have tried it.  

She is normally a happy, energetic, smart chid who loves school and being with her friends, until it comes to bedtime then she turns into a anxious hard to deal with child.  This from a child that has never had a sleep problem ever.  She has never slept with us and always went to bed on her own.

We are just so confused!!!!!!

[samantha841]

I was the same exact way when i was little. i was always scared of getting sick and especially at night time bc i was scared that my parents wouldnt wake up and i was terrified of puking , and still to this day cant stand the thought of puking. Im sure she will grow out of it. I did to some extent but i still have fear of puking and especially at night time.