Health for All

If you are not aware of the consequences of insomnia in adolescents, it may take a second look. I ask because you can not keep your children from watching the show late in the evening, or because you still look tired in the morning to sleep early. Insomnia or sleep problems in adolescents may not appear serious at first, but insomnia in adolescents is now a reality. In fact, insomnia in adolescents is very common.

In the study, particularly among adolescents in the United States, over 90% reported that sleep problems at least twice a week during the past year. For some, it seemed, chronic insomnia, and periodically, starting at 11 years of age.

And the school the next day, guys still need to get up early, despite the lack of sleep. This sleep deprivation can cause irritability, mood swings and difficulty learning and concentration that affect school performance of adolescents. Even more serious effect of insomnia is that it could be a prelude to depression, and anxiety disorders. The studies also show that young people (16-29 years) are more prone to accidents due to falling asleep at the wheel.

The reasons for insomnia in teenagers

With the onset of puberty, changes in the human body clock. Adolescence, this clock directs the person naturally fall asleep around 8 or 9. For adolescents, however, at this time is delayed by two hours or more later.

Moreover, at this age, normally, the time of exploration and discovery among teenagers is when they start drinking, smoking and walking with his friends. They may also start drinking coffee, stay alert during the day. These habits, however, can cause or exacerbate insomnia in adolescents and can lead to the emergence of other sleep disorders.

Stress at school, such as peer pressure, school performance, and relationships with teachers can also contribute to insomnia.

In some cases, insomnia, although it may begin in childhood and continue through adolescence. Insomnia in children usually occurs when a child becomes a dependent person or the condition that he / she associates with sleep – like the parents. Without this, these children have a difficult time sleeping.

Treatment of insomnia in adolescents

Here are some treatments for insomnia in adolescents. Although this can be done alone, it is best to consult a doctor or a qualified doctor.

1) light therapy. Expose adolescents to a bright light in the morning. This will help their body feel that it is time to wake up. A device called a light box can be used for this purpose.

2) On the other hand, taking in the dark or the light dim bedroom could be the signal for the body, it is time to sleep.

3) chronotherapy. Delay bedtime by two or three hours every night, little by little over the nights to come. For example, if your teen usually sleeps at midnight, you can do to stay up to 2 or 3 am and get up to 10 or 11 in the morning. The next night, he / she will sleep at 6 am and wake up at 2, and so on. Continue this until you reach the desired bedtime. It may be better to do at the end of the summer break.

4) drugs with melatonin. Melatonin, a hormone sleeping pill can help. Let your kids take five hours before bedtime you want. Starting from this, however, should be more extreme as it can cause side effects. It ‘best kept under medical supervision.

In addition to these treatments, you can do to help children sleep better:

1) to encourage them to apply during the day, but not for three hours before bedtime. Regular exercise can help to establish a healthy sleep.

2) to keep them with their homework or something intellectually stimulating hour before bedtime.

3) reduction of caffeine in their diet.

4) Remove distractions from your bedroom as a phone or TV.

5) if they are worried about things to make the next day, let them make the list to eliminate anxiety at the moment.

Though insomnia in teenagers can be serious, is treatable. Since you and your kids working together, can sleep better and be healthier.