“My son is having night terrors after a heart procedure he had. How can I help?”
My 9 year old son had to have a heart catheterization procedure. Since then, he has been having night terrors. I feel so bad for him! Would it help if I took him to see a psychologist?
6 Answers
Absolutely! He might have developed a high sense of anxiety - for fear of dying or something he got anxious over this medical process.
Treatment for anxiety for children can help him learn skills to regulate his body daily, and that perhaps will help with the night terrors.
Be well.
Dr. Rosana Marzullo-Dove
Treatment for anxiety for children can help him learn skills to regulate his body daily, and that perhaps will help with the night terrors.
Be well.
Dr. Rosana Marzullo-Dove
I would definitely take him to a child psychologist. Unfortunately, sometimes medical procedures can traumatize children.
One thing I have found is helpful to children after they undergo cardiac catheterizations is to ask them if they could write and illustrate a book so that other children would know exactly what it would be like. It helps to make a passive, helpless experience into a more active experience.
One thing I have found is helpful to children after they undergo cardiac catheterizations is to ask them if they could write and illustrate a book so that other children would know exactly what it would be like. It helps to make a passive, helpless experience into a more active experience.
Yes, please do! A good hypnosis specialist – who can be a psychologist, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, pediatrician….can really help with this horrible experience. Usually can resolve in just a few sessions. Quick – go to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) and choose a specialist in pediatric hypnosis, especially one who works with night terrors and/or reactions after surgery. Your son will feel better so quickly and he will learn the value of getting the treatment he needs when he needs it.
Peace,
Marian Shapiro
Peace,
Marian Shapiro
Yes taking him to a psychologist or psychiatrist would be a good start. Better yet, most major cities have sleep disorders specialty clinics, often affiliated with medical centers/schools.
Heart catheterization at age 9 is surely a traumatic experience, and it would be important for a mental health professional to explore his understanding of the procedure and his prognosis. Does he fear death, for example? Was the procedure successful? What is his understanding?
Heart catheterization at age 9 is surely a traumatic experience, and it would be important for a mental health professional to explore his understanding of the procedure and his prognosis. Does he fear death, for example? Was the procedure successful? What is his understanding?
He has a little of PTSD right now and he really needs a therapist. Try taking him to see one. Doesn't have to be a psychologist. Find one that treats PTSD and trauma patients.
Take a look at this link - it may help:
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/controlling-night-terrors
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/controlling-night-terrors
