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My Son Wakes Up Shivering Violently

by Lacey
(Larose, Louisiana, USA)

My 6-year old son occasionally wakes up and comes to me shaking violently. He tells me that he's freezing, but his body feels warm. There's no crying or screaming.


A few nights ago, for the first time, I was awake when he came to me this way. I had always assumed that he was awake during these times, but he looked like he might have been sleep walking because he had a dazed look in his eyes.

Each time I asked him what was wrong he'd only tell me that he was freezing. He continues to shiver until he falls asleep.

Could this be some normal childhood issue? Could it be seizures? My husband (his father) has a son who has had chronic seizures, but I don't know many specifics about seizures in general. Please help.

Comments for My Son Wakes Up Shivering Violently

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Nov 24, 2014
 same problem NEW
by: Anonymous

I am having the same problem with my 7yr old I put it down to anxiety he get very anxious about school and is a worrier.My son sleep walks when I get him back to bed he starts to shiver,heart racing etc
Jan 25, 2015
 Nocturnal Panic Attacks NEW
by: Anonymous

This could be caused by too much stress in the child's, or adult's, life. Over stimulation during the day without at least 3 hours wind down can impact people with sensitive nervous systems. They may present with elevated heart rate, not necessarily clinical tachycardia, but noticeably above normal, shaking and sweating and stomach cramps, trapped wind pain etc.. Reassurance and comforting is usually all that's necessary.

I suffer from this myself and have been a poor sleeper from childhood, having come from a very stressful childhood and teenage upbringing. People with hypersensitive nervous systems need regular, light, daily exercise, and should avoid mentally stressful mental activities, like violent computer games, violent films and text or blogging wars in later life, otherwise it will take a heavy toll on their ability to get a good night's sleep.

I have found insomnia to be a lifelong condition, and it gets worse with lack of exercise, so be warned. Our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, taking the car or bus instead of walking, are not helping us sleep, rather making it worse. The human body is a survival machine built for stress, but not adapted to stress with no physical outlet. That leads to depression and insomnia.
Jul 28, 2015
 Seizures NEW
by: Misty Z.

This really sounds like seizures to me. I have a daughter with seizures. I strongly encourage you to talk to your sons doctor. You had also mentioned your husband already has an off spring with a seizure disorder. That can increase the chances of your son having a seizure disorder. There are seizure disorders where the seizures only occur at night during sleep. Best of luck to you and your family.

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