One of the major public health issues is considered to be the sleep deprivation among American teenagers. This problem is getting worse and a recent study showed that about 69 percent of high school students don’t get the necessary eight to 10 hours sleep per night. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, including jobs, homework, biological shifts in sleep-wake cycles, and electronic devices. Additionally, many teens also suffer from insomnia and have troubles falling or staying asleep. In fact, about 33 percent of teens experience insomnia, which lasts for two weeks or more. Teen insomnia has been linked with an increased risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, behavior problems, and suicidality.
Insomnia and Teens
A person who has insomnia has trouble falling or staying asleep. This condition is usually a result of stress, emotional troubles, physical discomfort, and an uncomfortable sleeping environment. Insomnia is quite common in teens once in a while. However, if the condition persists and lasts for a month or longer with no relief, then we are talking about chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia might be triggered by various things, including mental health problems, substance abuse, medical conditions, or medication side effects. Teens who deal with chronic insomnia should definitely get help from a doctor or a therapist. If a teenager starts worrying about insomnia, it can make the condition worse and they might become even more anxious. This is what doctors call psychophysiological insomnia.
One of the most common reasons a teenager is an insomniac is the nighttime technology use which has a negative impact on sleep patterns. Other causes of adolescent insomnia might include depression, family issues, anxiety, hormonal changes, or ADHD.
If a teenager starts using medications for insomnia, it might not be a good idea. These medications are pricey and won’t help them in the long term. Hence, it’s better if teens try cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT-I, is an effective and durable treatment for insomnia. This therapy provides relief when delivered to adolescents and improves sleep. Likewise, this therapy has proven to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. CBT-I focuses on common sense behavior changes regarding bedtime and waking routines. If used regularly, this therapy is remarkably successful in alleviating insomnia.
Additionally, chronic insomnia might also be alleviated with some simple tricks, such as sticking to a regular bedtime and waking time, doing regular exercise during the day, removing distractions from the bedroom, and sleeping in a dark, cool, and quiet bedroom.