Does your teen constantly complain about not getting enough sleep? Does they stay up past midnight trying to get homework completed? If so, she’s probably sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation in teens can affect pretty much every aspect of your teen’s life. If your teen isn’t getting enough sleep she’s at a higher risk of behavioral, academic, and emotional issues.
How do I know if my teen isn’t catching enough zzzs?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell when your teen has actually gone to bed. They might stay up into the early hours of the morning on their phone or watching TV in their room with the door closed. What are some of the symptoms of sleep deprivation in teens? Here are some signs of sleep deprivation to look out for: 
- They are feeling stressed out all the time: If your teen gets stressed over simple tasks, that may be a sign they are not getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation makes it hard for people to deal with daily challenges and annoyances, like doing chores or homework.
- Having issues with memory: During deep sleep, your nerve cells make connections that help boost memory. If your teen has to choose between studying late at night before an exam and sleep, they should choose sleep every time. Getting enough sleep will help them do better on that test than an extra hour or two of studying will.
- Poor decision making: If your teen is getting involved in risky behavior like substance use or cheating on tests, sleep deprivation may be to blame. In the brain, the prefrontal cortex is responsible for judgment and controlling impulsive behavior. The less sleep your teen gets, the more impulsive they will likely be.
- Unable to Concentrate: Another sign of sleep deprivation in teens is an inability to concentrate. If your teen can’t concentrate in school or when you’re trying to talk to them about something, it may be because they haven’t been getting enough sleep.
- Mood Swings: Is your child go from zero to sixty mood-wise on a regular basis? The reason for their mood swings might be sleep deprivation. Children who sleep less than the amount they’re supposed to are 25 percent more likely to misbehave.
If it’s not just sleep deprivation in teens
If your teen daughter’s behavioral struggles are caused by something more than sleep deprivation in teens, consider Solstice. Solstice is a residential treatment center for teen girls and assigned female at birth ages 14-18 struggling with emotional and behavioral difficulties like trauma, depression, anxiety, and disordered eating.
For more information about Solstice, please call (866) 278-3345.
