Why Are Sleep Disorders Increasing In Teens?

Sleep plays an important role in the overall physical and mental development of the young teens. Yet, there is an increase in the number of teens who are struggling to get enough rest. This condition is called sleep disorder and is rising at an alarming rate where the studies show a significant portion of teenagers are not having 8  to 10 hours of sleep per night. Hence, this blog from Sugam Hospital explains the reason for the disturbing trends of sleep in teens. 

The Digital Distraction

One of the primary reasons why there is an increasing rate in sleep disorder among teens is their excessive screen time. The excessive usage of smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles which have become a part of their daily lives. The blue light which is emitted from the screens interferes with a hormone called melatonin. This hormone regulates sleep and when disturbed they make it hard for the teens to fall asleep. So, social media, online chatting, and binge-watching shows can significantly delay the bedtime leading to chronic sleep deprivation. 

Academic Pressure And Packed Schedules

In today’s teens there is immense pressure due to the academic stress like never before. The early start of school, coaching classes for competitive exams, tuition or extra classes, and extracurricular activities can often make the teens more pressured and stressed. So, this tight-packed schedule impacts greatly on the natural sleep patterns often leading to extracurricular activities. Hence, the constant racing of the brain makes it difficult to switch off at night.

Mental Health Concerns

Sleep and mental health are closely linked. The anxiety, depression, and stress are increasingly prevalent in the teens and often go hand-in-hand with disturbed sleep cycles. Also, the teens who are experiencing the emotional turmoil may find it hard to sleep or awake often during the night. So, the lack of sleep in turn worsens the mental health issues creating a vicious cycle that is hard to break. 

Hormonal Changes

The teenagers who undergo significant hormonal shifts are naturally affected by the sleep disorder. It can be due to puberty where the body’s circadian rhythm experience shifts making the teens stay more awake during night. As the biological change is natural in teens but when combined with the habits of modern lifestyle, it can push the bedtime afar and lead to delayed sleep phase syndrome.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

The unhealthy lifestyle habits can also take a toll over the teens sleeping habits. Excessive consumption of caffeine, energy drinks, soda, and coffee is very common in teens making them stay alert during the day. It is essential to understand that caffeine can stay in the body for many hours and can severely disrupt sleep quality. Also, if accompanied by irregular meal timings, lack of physical activity, and proper sleep hygiene can also cause sleep problems.

These are the common causes for the sleep disorders in teens and for those struggling with the persistent sleep issue, it is important to seek medical help. At Sugam Hospital, we have an expert team of psychologists, sleep specialists, and best pediatricians in Chennai who together assess and treat the sleep disorders in adolescents. Our comprehensive approach includes evaluating the sleep patterns and understanding the underlying causes of the mental issues. With a holistic focus on healing and adolescent care, Sugam Hospital offers personalized solutions that aim in restoring the healthy sleep cycles and improve the quality of life. 

Therefore, sleep is a necessity especially for the critical developmental years of adolescence. So, by understanding the causes of sleep disorders and taking the necessary steps we can help the teens to reclaim their rest with health and happiness.