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Son has a fear of 'disappearing'

This discussion was created from comments split from: Ask a sleep expert.
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Make sure you have a good pre-bedtime routine in place, take a look at the link, this would be your starting point. http://www.scope.org.uk/support/families/sleep/routine where it says a bedtime story we would suggest instead you do ten good things, this is where you would get him to tell you ten good things that have happened to him that day, this ends the day on a positive note. remember that once you have said goodnight do not engage in conversation or eye contact until morning.
We advise you not to ask him questions about his fears as this could strengthen his fear, but what we would advise is to teach him that a thought is something we can take control of and change for a positive thought this in turn produces a positive feeling.
We have two mantra's that we suggest the young people repeat to themselves as they lay in bed, this has the same effect as counting sheep, it focusing your mind on something other than fears or anxieties:
1) A thought is a thought and a thought can be changed.
2) Change the thought, change the feeling.
Remember it takes at least 3 weeks to establish a new routine.
Stay strong and consistent
Good luck