Talking to Teens and Families About Sleep
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As teens are pulled in different directions amongst their biological and social needs, responsibilities, and technology, it is often hard for them to get enough sleep. Teens need approximately 9.25 hours of sleep to function optimally, but only 8% of high school students get the recommended amount of sleep.
As a result of teenagers being chronically sleep deprived, there are multiple risks: Heading link
- Increased risk of injury, particularly motor vehicle accidents. Severe sleep deprivation can affect coordination and response time and has been shown to impair drivers as much as alcohol intoxication.
- Increased risk of mental health problems; including poor emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Sleep deprivation can also mimic symptoms of ADHD, including an inability to sit still, stay on task, and to focus.
- Increased risk of substance misuse, and unprotected sex.
- Increased risk of obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
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To help teens get more sleep, two main factors need to be addressed: late sleep initiation and early rise time (resulting school schedule).
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Last but not least:
Providers can help advocate for policy change to implement later start times in high school. Studies have shown earlier start times are associated with higher suicide rates and that when schools change their start time, rates of depression decrease. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends high school start times no earlier than 8:30 am, but very few school districts in the US adhere to this recommendation.
Screening tool for adolescent sleep deprivation:
Cleveland Adolescence Sleepiness Questionnaire
Resources:
Consider contacting Illinois DocAssist for a consultation if a teen’s sleep disturbance continues to be problematic.
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References
Neuroth LM, Ma M, Brooks-Russell A, Zhu M. The Relationship of School Start Times, Sleep Duration and Mental Health among a Representative Sample of High School Students in Colorado, 2019. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 26;18(11):5708
Adolescent Sleep Working Group; Committee on Adolescence; Council on School Health. School start times for adolescents. Pediatrics. 2014 Sep;134(3):642-9
Child Mind Institute Family Resource Center
The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need to thrive.
Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire
Spilsbury JC, Drotar D, Rosen CL, Redline S. The Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire: A New Measure to Assess Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Adolescents. J Clin Sleep Med 2007; 3(6):603-612.