Ep101: Nighttime Fears: When Bedtime Becomes Your Child’s Nightmare - With Dr. Kushnir

OVERVIEW

Sleep problems are not only applicable for adults. Having trouble sleeping at night can be experienced by anyone. No one is exempted. Even a child as young as 4 can be a victim of a sleep disorder. The most common sleep issue kids are experiencing is known as nighttime fears. It is when they start to be afraid during bedtime. Kids normally feel unsecured when they are all alone in the dark and start to feel that there is a monster hiding in their closet.

But as a parent do you have an idea on how to properly address this sleep problem? Is being there when your child feels scared enough to resolve this issue?

In this episode, I am so glad to have on the show Dr. Jonathan Kushnir a Clinical Psychologist and instructor in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He also specialized in treating children suffering from anxieties and sleep problems. In this interview, Dr. Kushnir will share how parents can help their children cope up with nighttime fears on their own. He will also discuss how nighttime fear can affect both child and their parents negatively. Dr. Kushnir will also give a brief overview of his latest book that he co-authored with his twin brother entitled "Children and Parents Beating Nighttime Fears" and how it can help parents to address their child’s nighttime fears properly. Tune in and let Dr. Kushnir and I help you and your child to have a night of better sleep!

WHAT WILL WE LEARN

01:02 What is the difference between a nightmare and nighttime fear
03:10 How nighttime fear affects a child’s sleep
04:25 Why parents should let their children cope up with nighttime fear on their own
05:20 The reason why Dr. Kushnir and his brother write the book "Children and Parents Beating NIghttime Fears"
07:25 Checking your child’s room every night to make them feel secured before bedtime: Does it help them overcome nighttime fears
08:53 Dr. Kushnir tips to parents on how to help their children overcome nighttime fear and other sleep problems
11:00 How many children are affected by nighttime fear and how it negatively affects parents performance and communication with their children and spouse
12:40 How nighttime fear can be carried out to adulthood if parents do not address it properly
14:30 Sleep terrors: What are the factors that can make it worse
17:54 What is the differential diagnosis and why it is important
19:36 If parents are not around their child while they are experiencing nighttime fear can it cause trauma to the child
21:36 Where to find Dr. Kushnir's new book "Children and Parents Beating Nighttime Fears" and who can benefit from it
23:25 Dr. Kushnirs advise to parents who have children that are experiencing nighttime fear