Sleep is one of the most important requirements of the body and mind. The number of hours of sleep a person needs varies across ages, lifestyle and health. In teens, specifically, about 8 to 9 hours of sleep is needed each night for their general well-being, academic performance and safety. Teens are at a crucial stage of growth and development, thus they need more sleep than adults.

Research shows that many teens do not get the right amount of sleep they need on a daily basis. Changing sleep patterns can be attributed to factors such as a busy schedule and active social life. The consequences of sleep deprivation include irritability, lack of concentration, and falling asleep in class. On a more serious note, lack of sleep in teens may be a sign or a contributor to emotional problems, anxiety and thoughts of self-harm.

When Bad Dreams Keep Your Teen Awake all Night

Like all teens, your son or daughter’s body’s circadian rhythm has been reset. It means the brain hormone melatonin is produced later at night so there is the tendency to sleep and wake up late. However, the change in body clock may not only be the reason why your teen child is losing vital sleep. Other causes may include insomnia, apnea, reflux, and nightmares.

It’s one thing to have occasional nightmares but, it’s another thing if your child frequently tosses and turns in bed all night as an indication that he or she may be experiencing bad dreams. While you can only provide a comforting presence, you may not be equipped to handle or know their meaning. You only need to know that those dreams may be a signal that your child is in distress. You owe it to your child and yourself to find out what’s causing the bad dreams. Only then you can do something to help your child get the right amount of sleep appropriate for his or her age.

Helping Your Teen Get a Good Night’s Sleep

As a parent, you need to have a stronger stance when it comes to getting your teen child to be more serious about sleep. First and foremost is to set a good example in making sleep a priority. Creating an atmosphere conducive to sleep can help support a healthy habit.

However, if you know or suspect that your child’s sleep issues are more than just the nightmares he or she can’t outgrow from childhood, you need to seek the opinion of the experts. Psychotherapy is oftentimes instrumental in uprooting the real cause why your child has frequent bad dreams or difficulty sleeping. The office of Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC independently contracts with licensed counselors who are well-trained and well-experienced in different types of therapy for sleep disorders. Call now to request an appointment and let CCS help your child slay the faceless creatures in his or her dreams starting tonight.

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