Evie Summers
Sleep is essential for growing children and teenagers, but many are getting less sleep than ever before. National polls show that 27% of school-aged children and 45% of adolescents do not get enough sleep. While there are many reasons for this, including increased demands from school and extracurricular activities, one-third of school-aged and adolescent patients have been identified as having insomnia. Doctors have been found to prescribe medication for sleep problems in children and adolescents 80% of the time, despite the lack of FDA-approved medications for insomnia in this age group. Melatonin and sedatives are among the most commonly prescribed medications, but even these can have side effects and are not recommended for long-term use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of school-age children who don't sleep enough | 27% |
| Percentage of adolescents who don't sleep enough | 45% |
| Percentage of psychiatrists who recommended sleeping pills | 25% |
| Percentage of psychiatrists who recommended "all-natural" sleeping aids | 33% |
| Average sleep needed by teenagers | 8 hours |
| Percentage of doctors who prescribed drugs that promote sleep or reduce anxiety | 16% |
| Percentage of doctors who prescribed antidepressants | 6% |
| Percentage of doctors who prescribed medication for children's sleep problems | 81% |
| Percentage of doctors who prescribed antihistamines | 33% |
| Percentage of psychiatrists who noted significant sleep issues in patients | 40% |
| Percentage of psychiatrists who identified melatonin as the first treatment of choice | 83% |
| Percentage of psychiatrists who identified trazodone as the first treatment of choice | 10% |
| Percentage of psychiatrists who identified trazodone as the second treatment of choice | 56% |
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What You'll Learn
Why are teens not getting enough sleep?
Sleep is essential for growing children and teenagers, but various factors are preventing them from getting enough sleep. National polls have shown that 27% of school-aged children and 45% of adolescents don't sleep enough. One of the main reasons for this is the increased demands of schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Additionally, overuse of technology at night can disrupt sleep patterns, as the blue light from device screens can trick the brain into thinking it's still daytime.
Another factor is the prevalence of insomnia among teenagers, with child psychiatrists identifying it as an issue in nearly one-third of their school-aged and adolescent patients. While sleeping pills and "all-natural" sleeping aids like melatonin have been recommended in some cases, there are concerns about their side effects and long-term use. Doctors have also prescribed off-label medications to treat sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with mood disorders, despite a lack of evidence for their efficacy and safety.
Lifestyle choices and sleep habits can also contribute to sleep deprivation in teens. For example, consuming stimulants like cola, energy drinks, or coffee close to bedtime can make it difficult to fall asleep. Engaging in physically demanding sports right before bed can also disrupt sleep. Additionally, activities such as playing games on phones or computers can make it hard for teens to wind down and fall asleep.
Furthermore, certain medical, psychiatric, or developmental problems can create challenges for teens trying to get enough sleep. Parasomnias, such as nightmares, sleep terrors, confusional arousal, and sleepwalking, are common in children and can disrupt their sleep. Delayed sleep phase disorder, a type of circadian rhythm sleep disorder, is also prevalent among teens.
To address sleep deprivation in teens, it is recommended to first try sleep and lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep habits and reducing exposure to blue light before bed. Simple behavioral treatments, such as progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training, can also help teens fall asleep faster. If these measures are ineffective, a sleep specialist may recommend medication as a last resort, but this should be done under medical supervision.
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What are the alternatives to sleeping pills?
There are several alternatives to sleeping pills that can help teens with their sleep problems. Firstly, it is important to note that medications should be used as a last resort, and there are numerous other alternatives that can aid with sleep, often related to lifestyle choices.
One alternative is to make simple changes to common behaviours, such as sleep habits and the environment, which can improve insomnia symptoms. This treatment strategy is known as behavioural therapy, which is safe and often effective. Relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, can help teens fall asleep faster. This involves lying down and concentrating on relaxing and tensing different muscle groups. Autogenic training, a form of self-hypnosis, can also be effective. This involves repeating certain thoughts, such as "my arms feel heavy", to induce a state of relaxation.
Another alternative is to limit the use of technology at night, as the blue light from device screens can disrupt the production of melatonin, a natural sleep-inducing hormone. Instead, listening to relaxing music before bed can aid sleep. It is also recommended to avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine before bed and to choose drinks like water, diluted juices, or herbal tea instead.
In some cases, a combination of sleep medicine and other strategies may be recommended by a doctor. This can include changes to bedtime routines and lifestyle habits, such as eating and drinking habits, to improve sleep quality.
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What sleeping pills are prescribed to teens?
Sleep is essential for growing children and teenagers, but many teens are getting less sleep than ever before. National polls show that 45% of adolescents do not sleep enough. While there are many reasons for this, including increased homework and extracurricular activities, some children suffer from diagnosed forms of insomnia.
There are no FDA-approved prescription sleep medicines available for children. However, doctors often prescribe medications to treat a child's sleep problems. Many of these medications are prescribed off-label, meaning they are approved drugs being used for an unapproved purpose. Doctors may also prescribe over-the-counter antihistamines to help children sleep, although these medicines are not approved for sleep purposes. Antihistamines were the most common choice for treatment in a study of US data from 1993 to 2004, being chosen 33% of the time. Drugs that treat high blood pressure and cause sleepiness as a side effect were another common choice, prescribed 26% of the time. Doctors also prescribed drugs that promote sleep or reduce anxiety 16% of the time, and in 6% of cases, they prescribed antidepressants.
Prescription sleeping pills are stronger than over-the-counter ones, and providers do not typically recommend using them long-term due to the risk of dependence and addiction. They are usually only prescribed for short-term relief. Types of prescription sleeping pills include antidepressants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and Z-drugs like zolpidem (Ambien) and eszopiclone (Lunesta). Benzodiazepines can be addictive and are therefore only prescribed for short-term use. Z-drugs can cause parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder that can lead to dangerous behaviors while the patient is still mostly asleep.
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Are sleeping pills safe for teens?
Sleep is essential for growing children and teenagers, but many teens are getting less sleep than ever before. National polls show that 45% of adolescents don't sleep enough. While sleeping pills can help with getting to and staying asleep, they are not a long-term solution and can have side effects.
Sleeping pills are available over the counter, as natural supplements, or by prescription. Over-the-counter sleep aids often contain antihistamines, which can make you drowsy, but they are not approved for sleep purposes and carry a risk of overdose. Natural supplements like melatonin can also be purchased without a prescription, but they too can have side effects, including daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches. Even herbal remedies can have side effects, and their safety and effectiveness may not be scientifically proven. Prescription sleeping pills, such as benzodiazepines, are recommended only for short-term use, usually for less than four weeks. They can have even more serious side effects, such as muscle weakness, digestive problems, and worsened snoring and sleep apnea. When taken long-term, they can lead to rebound insomnia, which is when insomnia returns worse than before after stopping the medication. Some sleeping pills can also cause sleepwalking or even driving while asleep, especially when taken with other medicines or alcohol.
Doctors may prescribe sleeping pills to teens in rare situations, but this is typically done under careful medical supervision and for a limited time. Before prescribing sleeping pills, doctors will usually recommend other strategies and lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep and eating habits, relaxation techniques, and meditation. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another effective treatment for insomnia that does not carry the same risks as medication.
While sleeping pills can help teens fall asleep, they are not a safe long-term solution due to their potential side effects and risk of dependency. It is important to speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any sleep medication to discuss potential risks and explore alternative treatments.
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What are the side effects of sleeping pills?
While sleeping pills can be effective in treating short-term sleeplessness, they can also cause a range of side effects. Firstly, they can be habit-forming, with the potential to create dependence when used for extended periods. This can result in rebound insomnia, where insomnia returns worse than before upon discontinuation of the medication. Additionally, sleeping pills may cause constipation, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, digestive problems such as gas, heartburn, and nausea, and can worsen snoring and sleep apnea.
Sleeping pills have also been linked to a "hangover effect," with approximately 8 out of 10 people experiencing drowsiness, muddled thinking, dizziness, and balance problems the day after taking them. This can negatively impact daily activities such as driving, working, or attending school. In older adults, the risk of falls, broken hips, and car accidents increases due to prolonged drug effects and associated confusion and memory issues.
Furthermore, sleeping pills can interfere with normal breathing and pose dangers to individuals with chronic lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They may also lead to parasomnia, a disruptive sleep disorder characterised by behaviours such as sleepwalking, eating, or even driving while mostly asleep.
It is important to note that many medications prescribed for sleep problems in children and adolescents lack FDA approval for paediatric use. As a result, doctors may resort to off-label prescriptions, which can have unknown side effects in younger patients. Melatonin, a natural sleep aid, is often recommended, but it too can cause side effects such as daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches.
Overall, while sleeping pills can provide temporary relief from insomnia, they should be used cautiously and only as a last resort, especially in children and adolescents, due to the potential side effects and risks associated with their use.
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Frequently asked questions
National polls have shown that 45% of adolescents don't sleep enough. Doctors prescribed a medication for 81% of these children. However, there is no FDA-approved medication for insomnia in children. Doctors often prescribe drugs off-label, in the absence of clear evidence for their efficacy, tolerability, and safety.
Off-label drugs are approved drugs that are prescribed by doctors for unapproved use. Melatonin, for example, is a hormone produced naturally by the brain when it gets dark. It helps the body fall asleep and is often prescribed by doctors for sleep issues. However, it is not approved for use by typically developing children.
Sleeping pills can have side effects like daytime drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches. Even herbal or 'natural' remedies can have side effects.
Doctors recommend other strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation to aid with sleep. Improving sleep habits and making lifestyle changes can also help.
