| If you're not aware of the impact of insomnia in | | | | Treatment of Insomnia in Teenagers |
| teenagers, you might want to take a second look. No | | | | Below are some treatments for insomnia in teenagers. |
| wonder why you can't keep your teens from watching | | | | Though these may be done on your own, it is still best |
| the late night show, or why they still looked tired in the | | | | to seek advice from a doctor or qualified medical |
| morning after going to bed early. Sleeplessness or | | | | practitioner. |
| problems sleeping among teenagers may not appear | | | | 1) Light Therapy. Expose your teens to bright light in |
| serious at first, but insomnia in teenagers is very much | | | | the mornings. This will help their body feel that it is time |
| a reality. In fact, insomnia in teenagers is very common. | | | | to wake up. A device called a light box can be used |
| In a study particularly among US teens, more than 90% | | | | for this purpose. |
| reported having problems sleeping at least twice per | | | | 2) On the other hand, keeping the bedroom dark or in |
| week within the past year. For some, insomnia | | | | subdued light can signal to the body that it is time to |
| seemed chronic and recurrent, beginning from the age | | | | sleep. |
| of 11. | | | | 3) Chronotherapy. Delay bedtime by two or three |
| And because of school the next day, teens still need | | | | hours progressively every night for several succeeding |
| to get up early despite lack of sleep. This sleep | | | | nights. For example, if your teen usually sleeps at |
| deprivation can cause irritability, moodiness, and | | | | midnight, you can make him/her stay up until 2 or 3 am |
| difficulty learning and concentrating, thus affecting | | | | and get up at 10 or 11 am. The next night, he/she will |
| teenagers' school performance. An even more serious | | | | sleep at 6 am and wake up at 2 pm, and so on. |
| effect of insomnia is that it can be a prelude to | | | | Continue with this until you reach the desired bedtime. |
| depression or anxiety disorder. Studies also show that | | | | This may be best to do towards the end of the |
| young people (16-29 years old) are most prone to auto | | | | summer break. |
| accidents as a result of falling asleep behind the wheel. | | | | 4) Medications with melatonin. Melatonin, a |
| Causes of Insomnia in Teenagers | | | | sleep-inducing hormone, can help. Let your teen take it |
| At the onset of puberty, a person's body clock | | | | five hours before the desired bedtime. Taking this, |
| changes. Before adolescence, this clock directs the | | | | though, should be more of a last resort as this can |
| person to naturally fall asleep around 8 or 9 pm. For | | | | have side effects. It is best to take this under a |
| teens, though, this time is delayed two hours or later. | | | | doctor's supervision. |
| Moreover, as this age is usually the time of exploration | | | | Apart from these treatments, you can do the following |
| and discovery among teens, this is when they start | | | | to help your teens sleep better: |
| drinking, smoking, and staying out late with their friends. | | | | 1) Encourage them to exercise during the day, but not |
| They may also start drinking coffee to stay alert | | | | within three hours before bedtime. Regular exercise |
| during the day. These habits, though, can cause or | | | | can help establish healthy sleep patterns. |
| aggravate insomnia in teenagers and may give rise to | | | | 2) Discourage them to do homework or anything |
| other sleep disorders. | | | | mentally stimulating one hour before bedtime. |
| Stress in school, like peer pressure, school | | | | 3) Decrease caffeine in their diet. |
| performance, and relationship with teachers can also | | | | 4) Remove distractions from their bedroom, like the |
| contribute to insomnia. | | | | telephone or TV. |
| Some cases of insomnia, though, can start as early as | | | | 5) If they are worried about the things to do the next |
| childhood and continue up to the teenage years. | | | | day, let them make a list to eliminate anxiety for the |
| Insomnia in children usually occurs when the child has | | | | moment. |
| become dependent on a person or condition that he | | | | Though insomnia in teenagers can be serious, it is |
| she associates with sleep - for example, a parent. | | | | treatable. With you and your teens working together, |
| Without that, these children have a hard time sleeping. | | | | they can sleep better and be healthier. |