Nightmares: Embracing Your Child Through the Dark

     ‘Childhood Nightmares’ are an occasional occurrence in every household. Dreams often happen while we sleep in total darkness. These dreams can feel startlingly real, causing children to panic and cry out in the dark before everything vanishes when the room light is turned on. Essentially, the entire family ‘loses sleep,’ making it a nightmare for everyone involved.

‘World Sleep Day’ and the Ocean of Thoughts and Mind

     ‘World Sleep Day’ falls on the second Friday of March every year. If we combine science with ancient beliefs, we might see a secret code that has long linked humanity. March represents Pisces, the ruler of imagination, fantasy, and escapism. Neptune (♆) is its governing planet, and its trident symbol bears a striking, coincidental resemblance to the symbol of Psychology (Ψ).

As if to tell us that the world of dreams and our minds are as vast and mysterious as the ocean.

When the ‘Amygdala’ Awakens on a Frightful Night

     While the body slumbers, the emotional center of the brain known as the ‘Amygdala’ may become hyperactive, creating frightening simulations. This occurs especially during REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), which usually happens in the latter half of the night. The dreams feel so vivid that children wake up in terror, with the memories etched deeply into their minds.

‘Loneliness’ is the Common Nightmare of Young Children and Teens

     For young children, nightmares often stem from an imagination that still struggles to distinguish reality, sometimes triggered by scary movies or books before bed. For teenagers, cumulative stress or major life transitions are often contributing factors. Their fear isn't just about the vast emptiness, but also a deep, dark descent into a sense of isolation.

Sometimes, children may experience "Night Terrors," which differ from nightmares. They usually occur during deep sleep early in the night; the child may scream but remains asleep and typically has no memory of the event the next morning.

Darkness: A Precious Gift Often Misunderstood

We often view darkness as a symbol of nightmares or evil, but physiologically, “Darkness is beautiful” and is a crucial factor for growth.

• Melatonin: Known as the ‘Hormone of Darkness’ and once called the ‘seat of the soul.’ The body begins secreting it after sunset, peaking in total darkness to ensure deep, quality sleep. This hormone acts like a "Master Architect" with antioxidant properties that care for our cells. Blue light from screens or lamps suppresses this hormone, ruining sleep quality.
• Growth Hormone: While children sleep, the body produces growth hormones—akin to premium fertilizer that helps a small sapling grow into a sturdy, grand tree.

Time to Light the Lantern in Your Child's Heart

     If nightmares occur so frequently that they affect daily life—causing a fear of bedtime, daytime fatigue, or constant nighttime distress—it might be ‘Nightmare Disorder.’ The role of a child psychiatrist at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital is like a guide who helps ignite a light in a child's heart, shining through the dark even if that light is invisible to the eye.

Loving Hugs Keep the Light Glowing

     We are often taught to fear the dark and wait only for the light... but have you noticed that the 'shining stars' appear most beautiful only when the sky is pitch black? Equally important is ‘a parent's loving embrace’ to help our children reside beautifully in the dark. Perhaps we don't fear the darkness itself, but rather being alone in it. If there is someone by our side, “The darkness can be magnificent,” just like the songs we dream of, both while asleep and awake.