Michael Lee If you’re not aware of the impact of insomnia in teenagers, you might want to take a second look. No wonder why you can’t keep your teens from watching the late night show, or why they still looked tired in the morning after going to bed early. Sleeplessness or problems sleeping among teenagers may not appear serious at first, but insomnia in teenagers is very much a reality. In fact, insomnia in teenagers is very common.
In a study particularly among US teens, more than 90% reported having problems sleeping at least twice per week within the past year. For some, insomnia seemed chronic and recurrent, beginning from the age of 11.
And because of school the next day, teens still need to get up early despite lack of sleep. This sleep deprivation can cause irritability, moodiness, and difficulty learning and concentrating, thus affecting teenagers’ school performance. An even more serious effect of insomnia is that it can be a prelude to depression or anxiety disorder. Studies also show that young people (16-29 years old) are most prone to auto accidents as a result of falling asleep behind the wheel.
Causes of Insomnia in Teenagers
At the onset of puberty, a person’s body clock changes. Before adolescence, this clock directs the person to naturally fall asleep around 8 or 9 pm. For teens, though, this time is delayed two hours or later.
Moreover, as this age is usually the time of exploration and discovery among teens, this is when they start drinking, smoking, and staying out late with their friends. They may also start drinking coffee to stay alert during the day. These habits, though, can cause or aggravate insomnia in teenagers and may give rise to other sleep disorders.
Stress in school, like peer pressure, school performance, and relationship with teachers can also contribute to insomnia.
Some cases of insomnia, though, can start as early as childhood and continue up to the teenage years. Insomnia in children usually occurs when the child has become dependent on a person or condition that he/she associates with sleep – for example, a parent. Without that, these children have a hard time sleeping.
Treatment of Insomnia in Teenagers
Below are some treatments for insomnia in teenagers. Though these may be done on your own, it is still best to seek advice from a doctor or qualified medical practitioner.
Apart from these treatments, you can do the following to help your teens sleep better:
Though insomnia in teenagers can be serious, it is treatable. With you and your teens working together, they can sleep better and be healthier.
