Not sleeping well in teen years is almost a tradition. Late night studying and partying have been a feature of teen life for a long while. In the last ten years though, the video game, the cell phone and the Internet have all been adding to the temptation to stay awake. The result is an epidemic of sleep deprivation and insomnia in younger and younger age groups.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition where people who want to sleep can't. The sufferer usually takes a long time to fall asleep, wakes in the night or wakes early and is sleepy in the day as a result

Most teens will suffer insomnia at one time or another. Usually they are anxious or conflicted about specific issues- especially:

· problems at school, including bullying and SATs

· family problems

· relationship difficulties

· concerns about choosing a direction and making a life

For these teens, insomnia is part of working through a difficult patch. The insomnia will usually disappear as the issue is resolved.

At other times, insomnia can become self perpetuating. For instance, sleeplessness can mean poor performance at school and poor performance at school can promote anxiety and sleepless nights.

Beyond this level of self perpetuating insomnia, is a fear of sleep itself. Sleep can become a battleground with bad associations and irrational fears. For some it is a fear of losing control- falling asleep means letting go. This can be difficult- even scary- after needing to be on top of everything during a frantic day.

For teens and preteens in families experiencing breakdown, sleep problems are a very common outcome and often become chronic.

Why is Sleep Deprivation Important?

Studies show that 90% of American teens report problems sleeping at least twice a week. To be always tired is getting more common as pressures increase on young people year on year.

Ten per cent of all adult Americans suffer long term, chronic insomnia and this often has its roots in teen or even preteen years. Getting to grips with bad sleep patterns in early life can mean a lot fewer problems as an adult,

What Can Be Done?

Many health insurers now recognise that good sleep is as important for long term health as good diet and exercise. Poor sleepers are more likely to suffer heart disease, diabetes and stress related conditions. This means health insurers will now pay for many sleep problem treatments that in the past they would not. Finding effective help could be as easy as raising the issue with your doctor.

You could also check out the advice of the experts for establishing good sleep habits below.

Guide to Behavioural Treatments for Teen Insomnia

· Establish a consistent bedtime routine.

· Create a peaceful setting at bedtime.

· Get a full night's sleep every night. Staying up late for any reason breaks up natural sleep rythms.

· Avoid caffeine or medications containing stimulants e.g. bronchodilators

· Don't try to sleep when you are too hungry or too full. Eat a few hours before sleep.

· Avoid any strong exercise in the five or six hours leading up to bedtime.

· A dark, quiet, slightly cool bedroom aids sleep

· Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday.

· All recreational drugs drain energy and reduce sleep efficency.

Useful Reading

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093838.htm

Other Conditions that lead to Teens being 'always tired'

Sleep Apnea.
This is a breathing problem at night that means no amount of sleep will give you the energy you need in the day.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tired-Teens--Sleep-Problems-and-other-causes-of-Daytime-Sleepiness

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
This is a rare condition that causes very deep exhaustion all day, everyday.
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=243&np=292&id=2194

Mononucleosis
The kissing diesase.
http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/common/mononucleosis.html

Hepatitus A
A more common cause of tiredness in teens than you might think.
http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/stds/hepatitis.html

Depression

Anxiety and depression are often found together with insomnia in all age groups. There is no need to suffer in silence now that so many forms of treatment are available.

• http://www.teendepression.org/
• http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/10/02/teen-insomnia-tied-to-depression-substance-abuse/3052.html
• http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=14351