Teens With Insomnia Are More Likely to Develop Mental Health Problems

Scientists performed the first ever study on insomnia in teenagers, linking it with mental health issues throughout adolescence.

According to the study published in the journal Sleep, the symptoms of insomnia in teenagers are linked with depression, thoughts on and the attempts of suicide, alcohol abuse and the use of various drugs, including cocaine.

Insomnia during adolescence significantly increases the severity of mental health problems. The results showed that teens with symptoms of insomnia had 2.3 more chances of developing depression.

The study showed that males suffering from insomnia were more likely to consume alcohol and use different drugs. Females, on the other hand, were more likely to develop depression if they had insomnia symptoms.

Insomnia analysis provided information which could be used to signal parents, educators and mentors of potential problems linked with mental health.

The starting point of the research included 4,494 teenagers aged between 12 and 18. Then, for 6- 7 years scientists analyzed 3,582 young people aged between 18 and 25.

Those who reported problems with falling asleep every day or nearly every day were classified as having the symptoms of insomnia.

Source: Eurekalert