Insomnia in children is common and It also affect an enormous number of adolescents
If they have been taught good habits, most kids have perfectly healthy sleeping patterns (sleep hygiene) until the age of 12. Then during adolescence, the body’s circadian rhythm (internal clock) is reset. Metabolic changes create a sleep phase delay in the body, telling the adolescent to stay up longer and wake up later in the morning. This change happens because a teen’s brain makes the hormone melatonin later at night than the brains of kids and adults. (Melatonin and another hormone, serotonin, help regulate a person’s sleep-wake cycles.)
The most common cause of insomnia is stress, but all sorts of things can lead to insomnia, including
- Stress – e.g. school, university or home
- Physical pain or discomfort – e.g. headaches
- Emotional upsets – e.g. relationship issues
- Poor sleeping conditions (a room that’s too hot, cold, bright, or noisy).
- Exposing your eyes to excessive light at night — throughmobile devices, for instance — also makes it harder to sleep.
- Caffeinated drinks
- Online social media and other activities
- Mobile phone use and computer game playing
Insomnia in teenagers is often a symptom of a mood disorder, and adolescents with depression are often insomniacs. However, modern lifestyle pressures often encourage the choice to take less sleep. Either way, the most appropriate course of action as a parent is to make an appointment for your adolescent to see a psychologist and help get them back on track before studies and relationships start to break down.
Call now for an appointment.
We also provide insomnia treatment for adults. Contact Us today for more information.