Most teens will want to stay up late to watch movies or chat with friends. Plus, they may happily spend the whole morning in bed. However, if your son or daughter appears unusually tired or is experiencing sleeping difficulties, you might worry there is an underlying cause.
While you must take them along to a doctor for an official diagnosis, a little research could help you pinpoint a potential problem. Here are four reasons that could be causing your teen’s tiredness.
1. A Change to Their Internal Clock
Both adults and children have an internal clock that will determine their sleep cycle, body temperature, hormonal changes, and appetite. Both psychological and biological processes can alter a person’s 24-hour internal clock, which is known as circadian rhythms.
Once your child hits puberty, their internal clock will change, which will slow down when your son or daughter will feel sleepy or awake.
2. Depression
While your teen’s internal clock could cause a change in their sleeping behavior, their tiredness may stem from depression. Many parents expect their son or daughter to appear sad or upset when living with depression, but this isn’t always the case.
For example, they might sleep more each day or sleep less due to insomnia. Other symptoms of depression to look for include fighting with others, angry outbursts, low self-esteem, concentration issues, and a loss of interest in hobbies.
If you believe your teen might have depression or another mental health disorder, you must ensure they receive professional help as soon as possible. Visit igniteteentreatment.com to learn more about the benefits of entering your son or daughter into a treatment center. It will ensure they receive the help they need to overcome various types of depression, such as chronic depression, reactive depression, or recurrent depressive disorder.
3. Celiac Disease
If your child appears constantly tired despite enjoying an adequate amount of sleep for their age range, they might have celiac disease. It is an autoimmune disease that requires people to avoid gluten, as it can damage the small intestine. People living with gluten intolerance will often struggle with anemia or malnutrition. As a result, they might experience fatigue, as well as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
4. A Lack of Physical Activity
Physical activity can improve sleep quality. If your teen sits all day at school, they will need to be more active at home. Encourage your son or daughter to embrace exercise after school instead of watching TV on the sofa or playing video games in their bedroom. For example, they could join a sports team, go for a run, or enjoy a family bike ride. You can guarantee they will sleep like a baby, and they will have more energy the next day.
Different factors can determine your teen’s sleeping pattern, behavior, and energy levels. If you suspect there is an underlying issue causing their tiredness, talk to your teen about their mental health or book an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.
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