I've not got any experience but sending you a hug, sleep deprevation is awful xx hope things improve xx

I am lucky that my daughter's (also 6) sleep anxiety is not so bad, but I see similarities. My daughter typically refuses to sleep unless I'm laying down and falling asleep next to her. She does not start getting sleepy, usually, until around 10 pm and the earliest she wakes up in the morning is 7:30 -- often as late as after 9 am. She goes to afternoon Kindergarten this year so the sleep schedule hasn't caused a problem yet, but we worry about next year.
The root of all of this, imo, is anxiety. My daughter has had this anxiety as long as I've know her and I think it is an abandonment issue. In an ironic way her abuse disclosure helped us make tremendous progress with her preexisting sleep anxiety because it wasn't until we started counseling that I was reassured that sleeping with her was perfectly healthy.
In your daughter's case, however, I think something more is needed because there is too much sleep loss and your presence alone doesn't seem to be helping. Have you tried any gentle sleep aids like sleepy-time tea or warm milk?

My daughter was the same,up until 2 am and up at 8 for school.She tossed and turned and couldn't lie still,we thought it was ADD,can you not get any doctor to OK melatonin?

I thought melatonin could increase depression. Have you have good experience with it, hopefulmama?

I don't think Barbie movies are good indefinitely! Haha. Have you tried any of the things I mentioned in previous post? I think you need to at least try many things until something works. It might not be a miracle cure and have her sleeping by 8:00 every night. It might be 30 or even 15 minutes earlier with less stress at first. That would be an improvement! A gentle routine, consisting of dimmed lights, no television or any type of electronics, maybe a bath with some lavender, possibly essential oils in a diffuser, some relaxation music. Maybe some mother / daughter yoga. Reading books in bed as part of the routine. It is very worrisome that you get in physical fights with your daughter. This isn't healthy for either of you! And they sell melatonin over the counter. I would definitely get the one specifically for children. Anyway, I think you need to really focus on THIS issue and try different things until something works. Of course, it's going to take some time before you see improvement with one thing (maybe weeks). So it's going to take commitment and patience on your part. Maybe having a chart to chart out what your routine was and what time she fell asleep, so you can visually see what is and isn't working. Maybe a chart for her with all of her bedtime routines so that she has something to see and be proud of for accomplishing. Heck, maybe rewards might be in order. If you do all of your bedtime routines and are in bed with no fighting and without Barbie movies for a week, we can go pick out a stuffed animal or Barbie! Does she have a special night time stuffed animal? So many thoughts!! Hang in there and like I said, make this your priority. Dealing with the abuse is going to be that much harder for both of you if you aren't properly rested. :-( PS - I just re-read my reply and I don't mean to sound like do this do that - I have struggles of my own and am NOT a professional by any means. I don't mean to sound bossy, just trying to give you some ideas. :-)

Thanks every-one, and Ashley, you don't sound at all bossy, you sound like you care, you bothered to put a lot effort into giving a long reply, with very sensible suggestions.....most of which were part of our routine when she was younger, it's just that the anxiety has escalated out of control. I think it's mostly the school thing.....she was ok last year, loved her teacher.....this year she HATES her teacher (actually so do I)

Great news though .......Got a call from my daughters psychologist, my daughter has an appointment a specialist paediatric psychiatrist ....WOW.....another 'professional' but hey this one may be able to help....gotta carry on trying

Fake fruit,melatonin was a life saver for my daughter,we can across it by accident.Thee was a new cough syrup that came out,all natural,Zarbees, my daughter had a chronic cough for a long time so we tried it,not really knowing anything about melatonin,the first time she was out within 15minutes!I then asked the doctor about it and she approved melatonin.Wirhout it she can't sleep.It was a miracle at the time.I give it to her about an hour before bed and she sleeps through the night.But it must be taken early or she will be groggy all day,I suggest a good 10hours if sleep time.My daughter,13,is in bed by 915 and asleep shortly after.

Oh, does Zarbees's have melatonin? If so, then we've been using it all along! Though I can count on one hand the number of times I've given it just for sleep.
I also love using music. We have a CD of Chinese lullibies and classical music one called Baby Sleep.

Our GP's in the uk will not prescribe melatonin, and we can't buy it over the counter, although I guess I could get it on-line from oversees......however, the psychiatrist can prescribe.....so will see what her assessment throws up.....I am praying because all the baths, soft music, reading in the world, only make me exhausted, not her lol xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

crybaby - yay!! I'm so glad that your daughter has an appointment with a psych specialist. I hope that whomever it is, he or she is the perfect fit for your daughter and her particular needs. I hope that they will have a good understanding of sleep issues and will be able to help with that. And I hope you and your daughter will finally be able to get some much needed and deserved rest soon. Hugs to you!

Yes Zarbees has melatonin,does your child sleep better with it?