Dr. Siegel,

My 7 year old son has been waking up for the past couple of nights about 1 - 2 hours into sleep - sitting up in bed - frantic - eyes wide open - screaming - and saying things that do not make sense - "mom, mom, mom - I need a chair - no no - I need to walk backwards - no, no, no, .... I love you ( one minute) hate you (the next) hold me, etc..  - it has me & my husband frantic!!!!  I called my pediatrician - who said not to worry - school has just started - maybe he's anxious.  But I am worried & frantic - he is a normal, happy, active, sensitive boy with no known medical problems.  After this episode which lasted about 3 minutes (felt like hours) - he started to shiver, teeth chattering, said he was cold, I covered him with blankets and try to sooth him into falling asleep - by rubbing his face & talking to him calmly.  He did have a couple of episodes like this about a year ago - and I thought it was a nightmare - but I am not that sure about that?!?!

The next morning he was fine - didn't remember anything - although he was a  little grumpy getting ready for school & didn't want to eat breakfast for those two mornings (he generally does enjoy breakfast ) - I gave him a cereal bar on the way to school.  I thought about seeing a ped. neurologist - what do you suggest?  I am clueless!!!!

I would be so happy if you took a moment to answer my email.

Thank you.