10 year old girl not sleeping, overly worried and anxious

[sharon43798]

My daughter is now 10 and doesn't sleep through the night. She is worried about everything - like someone coming into the house and taking her, or hurting her, someone grabbing her from under the bed and hurting her, someone coming in and hurting her parents, etc. We do leave lights on her in her room - we have talked about all of things that make her so worried and have expressed that we understand that her fears are real to her - we are Christians and place emphasis on giving our fears to Jesus and letting Him help us. Her bed has been moved around her room several times trying to help her with a position that will give her a sense of security. We are struggling to help her and would appreciate some input. We have considered maybe taking her to see a therapist, but after reading through this blog and realizing that there must be many children who suffer with sleep issues, I am thinking we should seek help from others who may be able to offer us another way. My daughter is very smart, very outgoing, very creative, socializes well but is an only child. Any suggestions here would be sincerely appreciated. Sharon43798

[jackie722]

Rather be hit with a natural disaster than from a criminal.. x

Much love

[sharon43798]

Thank you - yes the world is so different and while I remember violent things happening, at this point, it sures seems like it's so much worse. Since 911 anyway - the amount of information in the media is terrible and we have too stopped watching news at any time in the early day. I only catch up sometimes with late night news. However, it is clear to me that with things like the earthquake in Japan, the tsunami just some years ago, the tornados all the time all over the North American continent, worldy disasters are ever more prevalent in our daily lives than ever and I can totally appreciate a young child dealing with lots of anxiety that something bad is going to happen to them or a loved one. Thank you -

[sharon43798]

Thank you so much for your comments. It is helping us to determine whether or not it's time for professional assistance. She does sleep with our little dog at night who is a very protective watchdog and we keep lights on for her, almost probably too light in the room, but I figure if this helps her when she wakes up with being able to see, then I'm okay with it. I haven't tried music - great suggestion and perhaps something to take her mind off and/or redirect her focus. I will give it a try - thank you.

[jackie722]

Well Kids of today do worry alot more than when our Parents were kids....Why ? Cause the world has changed as we know it...
Crime has become more violent and barbaric esp here in South Africa.....
My daughter is 8 ......(yet she does sleep well) but also......Scared of men breaking into our home.....I have to go with her everywhere..from the toilet to the bedroom to the kitchen...... She's eased off quite a bit lately......

But its true - Our poor children are worrying about things they sooooooo shouldnt be x its very SAD ....and wish our Country was a much Safer place......

I have even stopped her from watching the NEWS - cause its always negative.....with who was murdered this week? and how many ppl getting killed in Syria - (alot of children).......

Just reassure her.....Pray with her ........ xx I understand how your little one feels x

[skepticalpeach]

I agree that a therapist could really help her. She sounds like a very sweet girl, with a problem with anxiety. Do you have any pets who can sleep in her room with her? Or a sibling? Can she have a nightlight or play some soft music while she is sleeping so she doesn't focus on the little sounds?

If she really won't sleep I would talk to a doctor about getting her some sleeping pills. 10 year olds are still growing and it is absolutely essential they get sleep.

[AnnieBrooke]

If she is that anxious and frightened at 10, I would have her see a counselor that works with children.  She is picking up her fears and anxieties from somewhere, and it isn't just a matter of moving her bed to fix it.  She should be talking it out with someone who has seen this kind of thing a lot of times and can help her get to the bottom of it.