When a child describes feeling “like they are in a dream,” it can be an unsettling experience for parents. This sensation, often referred to as derealization or depersonalization, can be confusing and raises concerns. Understanding this experience in children, its potential origins, and appropriate responses can provide clarity and guidance for families.
Understanding the “Dream-Like” Sensation
The “dream-like” sensation refers to a feeling of detachment, where reality seems distant. This experience can manifest in two primary ways: derealization and depersonalization. Derealization involves feeling disconnected from one’s surroundings, as if the world is not quite real, foggy, or like watching a movie. Familiar places might appear strange or artificial.
Depersonalization, by contrast, is a feeling of detachment from oneself. A child might describe observing their own body from outside, or that their thoughts and emotions are not truly their own. Body parts might feel distorted, or actions seem automatic rather than consciously controlled. While these sensations can be disorienting, they are often temporary, particularly in children, and can serve as a psychological coping mechanism.
Potential Causes for This Feeling
Various factors can contribute to a child experiencing a “dream-like” sensation, ranging from common triggers to underlying issues. Physiological states can induce this feeling. Insufficient sleep, physical fatigue, or dehydration can make a child feel disoriented and disconnected from their environment. Overstimulation from activities or hunger can similarly affect a child’s perception of reality, leading to a temporary sense of unreality.
Emotional and psychological factors play a role in these experiences. Elevated stress levels or anxiety, including panic attacks, can trigger feelings of detachment as a protective response. Children who have experienced trauma might develop derealization or depersonalization as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. Significant life changes, such as moving to a new home, starting a new school, or parental divorce, can also induce emotional overwhelm that manifests as these dissociative feelings.
Certain medical conditions can also be associated with “dream-like” sensations. Migraines can cause visual disturbances and feelings of unreality. Some types of seizures, such as temporal lobe seizures, can present with symptoms including a sense of detachment, déjà vu, or a distorted perception of reality.
Side effects from certain medications or fluctuations in blood sugar levels, like hypoglycemia, can temporarily alter a child’s state of consciousness and perception. Developing brains also process and express internal sensations differently than adult brains, meaning children might interpret and describe these feelings in unique ways.
When to Seek Professional Help
Recognizing when a “dream-like” sensation warrants professional attention is an important step for parents. If the feeling is persistent, occurring frequently, or lasts for extended periods, it suggests a need for evaluation. A single, brief episode after a stressful event might be less concerning than daily or weekly occurrences.
The intensity of the feeling and the distress it causes your child are also important indicators. If the child is visibly frightened, significantly impaired by the sensation, or avoids activities due to it, professional consultation is advisable. Watch for associated symptoms like severe headaches, unexplained dizziness, episodes of fainting, or any signs of seizures, which would necessitate immediate medical attention. Memory loss, extreme anxiety that interferes with daily life, difficulty concentrating in school, or noticeable changes in behavior such as withdrawal from social interactions also serve as red flags.
If the “dream-like” feeling occurs without any clear stressor, it warrants further investigation. When these sensations begin to interfere with a child’s normal daily functioning, including their performance at school, participation in social activities, or ability to complete routine tasks, professional intervention becomes necessary. The initial point of contact should be the child’s pediatrician, who can conduct a preliminary assessment and provide referrals to specialists such as a pediatric neurologist or a child psychologist or psychiatrist, depending on the suspected underlying cause.
Supporting Your Child and Next Steps
When your child expresses feeling “dream-like,” validate their feelings and offer reassurance. Let them know you believe their experience is real and that you are there to help. Creating a calm and predictable environment can help reduce anxiety. Encouraging them to talk about what they are feeling, without judgment, fosters open communication. Grounding techniques, such as focusing on their five senses (e.g., naming five things they can see, four things they can touch) or engaging in gentle physical activity like walking, can help reconnect them to the present moment.
Lifestyle adjustments can also help. Ensuring adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and hydration supports overall brain function and emotional regulation. Regular physical activity can help manage stress. Incorporating stress reduction techniques, such as quiet reading or deep breathing exercises, into their routine can be beneficial. These foundational habits contribute to a more stable internal state.
When seeking professional help, expect the doctor to conduct a thorough medical history, asking about the frequency, duration, and nature of the “dream-like” sensations, and any accompanying symptoms. A physical examination will be performed. The pediatrician might recommend blood tests or, if neurological concerns arise, refer to a specialist for further evaluation, possibly including an electroencephalogram (EEG). If psychological factors are suspected, a referral to a child psychologist or psychiatrist for a mental health assessment will be made.
Treatment will be tailored to the underlying cause, which could involve managing stress, engaging in specific therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or, in some cases, medication for conditions such as severe anxiety or epilepsy. Parents play a collaborative role, requiring patience, careful observation of symptoms and triggers, and maintaining open communication with all healthcare providers.