My 5year old says he has to die.

My (F30) son had a dream one night that he had fell off the edge of the bed and he died.

After telling me his dream he said he wanted to die and he has to die. I talked to him asking him what he meant and reassured him that it was a nightmare and just that.

Tonight, as I was changing him into his pajamas he stared at me and said “I have to die”

I was shocked and asked him what he meant. He replied “I have to leave, I have to die” I then asked where did he hear that or if he heard anyone saying that. He told me no. He started to cry and said he had to die and he needed to leave.

I then told him that I loved him and he doesn’t need to die and won’t be going anywhere.

He cried and repeated “I have to die, I have to leave, I want to die and I want to leave already”

After a while he said he was going to die in the ocean, and once more said he will die by falling off the edge of the bed.

I stood quiet for a while as I tried not to cry, my son was bawling at this moment and I just couldn’t hold it in anymore and started to cry.

I told my son that I need him and that I love him and I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to him.

He keeps saying over and over that he wants to leave and he has to go. That he is going to die.

I don’t know what to do.

I’m afraid of falling asleep. I’m afraid of leaving him alone.

I am planning to take him to his doctors and find a child therapist.

Has anyone ever dealt with something like that with their little one?