Professor Gangwisch, of Columbia University College in New York, is the lead author of a recent study published in the journal Sleep which looked at the theory that inadequate sleep is a risk factor for depression.
Those of us working with children and families have always been aware that many young people spend their formative years chronically sleep deprived. As a result they are tired and inattentive and more prone to obesity,hypertension and depression.
Researchers now believe that sleep deprivation is directly linked to depression and suicidal thoughts, making it much more difficult for these young people to cope with daily stresses and making it more difficult for them to engage with their peers and with adults.
Teens allowed to stay up to midnight are 24% more likely to suffer depression and 20% are more likely to consider self harm than those who have set bed times of 10pm. Adolescents who sleep for five or fewer hours per night are 71% more likley to suffer from depression and 48% are more likely to consider suicide than those who reported getting eight or more hours of sleep per night.
The more sleep adolescents and teenagers get the lower the rate of depression, and the better this is for both their mental and physical health. Nine hours of sleep per night is the recommended level for adolescents. Of the 15,000 students, aged between 12 and 17, who took part in this study, the average sleep duration was only 7hours and 53 minutes. Those with a bedtime of 10pm or earlier slept on average 33minutes longer than those who went to bed at 11pm and 40minutes longer than those who went to bed at midnight.
Those of us working with children and families have always been aware that many young people spend their formative years chronically sleep deprived. As a result they are tired and inattentive and more prone to obesity,hypertension and depression.
Researchers now believe that sleep deprivation is directly linked to depression and suicidal thoughts, making it much more difficult for these young people to cope with daily stresses and making it more difficult for them to engage with their peers and with adults.
Teens allowed to stay up to midnight are 24% more likely to suffer depression and 20% are more likely to consider self harm than those who have set bed times of 10pm. Adolescents who sleep for five or fewer hours per night are 71% more likley to suffer from depression and 48% are more likely to consider suicide than those who reported getting eight or more hours of sleep per night.
The more sleep adolescents and teenagers get the lower the rate of depression, and the better this is for both their mental and physical health. Nine hours of sleep per night is the recommended level for adolescents. Of the 15,000 students, aged between 12 and 17, who took part in this study, the average sleep duration was only 7hours and 53 minutes. Those with a bedtime of 10pm or earlier slept on average 33minutes longer than those who went to bed at 11pm and 40minutes longer than those who went to bed at midnight.
This highlights once again the important part a good nights sleep plays in mental and physical health and wellbeing. Teaching your children good sleep habits is vitally important. Recognising when things are going wrong and working to resolve sleep issues at an early stage is worthwhile from a health perspective. Ensuring that young people get regular exercise, fresh air and have a regular sleep pattern gives them the optimum start in life.
If your child has difficulties developing a good sleep pattern contact Dream-Angus, we can help you to help your child to a better sleep.
Posts
