Insomnia problems are not exclusive to adults. Babies, children and adolescents can suffer sleep disorders with the risk that this implies for their development and quality of life. Adolescence is a particularly complicated stage of life due to the numerous physical and emotional changes that are experienced. For this reason, adolescence is also especially sensitive to insomnia.
Causes of insomnia in adolescence
- Insomnia in adolescence can originate from the same causes as in adults. A large number of cases of insomnia derive from an anxiety disorder and that is something that adolescents know very well. Nerves, fear, insecurity and the speed with which they must assimilate the changes that take place around them and within them, are more than enough reasons to alter their emotional balance as well as their sleep cycle.
- But there are more reasons for insomnia in adolescents. It seems that there is a clear tendency to inevitably modify the sleep cycle, with a more organic need than anything else to go to bed later and later. If the adolescent is increasingly active as the afternoon goes by, we are possibly facing a case of adolescent insomnia that will subside over time.
- In addition, one of the main reasons for insomnia in adolescence is totally new and affects adults as well. We are talking about new technologies, which make us delay more and more the time to go to sleep, hooked on the computer, on television or chatting on social networks.
Treatment of insomnia in adolescents
- The consequences of insomnia in adolescence include a delay in educational development, emotional problems and important physical squeal derived from the lack of night rest. That is why it is important to treat adolescent insomnia as soon as possible. But as in the case of babies and children with sleeping problems, it must be very clear that sleep is learned.
- We will not tire of repeating the importance of adequate sleep hygiene for the rest of the whole family, babies, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Anyone, regardless of their age, needs to get a good night’s sleep, get restful sleep and rest, and that is something that inevitably goes through a bedtime routine.
- In the case of an adolescent, it is necessary for them to go to bed free of concerns and concerns, so family dialogue, although difficult at that age, is more important than ever. A confident adolescent will have fewer insomnia problems than an adolescent who goes to bed fearing what will happen the next day in class, with doubts about the relationship with her parents, or with concern about her role in the group of friends.
