How Does Sleep Deprivation Affect the Teen-ager?
Sleep deprivation can impair memory and inhibit creativity making it difficult for sleep deprived students to learn. Teens struggle to learn to deal with stress and control emotion — sleep deprivation makes it even more difficult. Irritability, lack of self confidence and mood swings are often common in a teen, but sleep deprivation makes it worse. Depression can result from chronic sleep deprivation. Not enough sleep can endanger their immune system and make them more suceptible to serious illnesses. Judgement can be impaired. We don’t know how many car crashes involving teen drivers are sleep related, but it is certainly a safety risk. What Can We Do? Monitor your child’s activities. Along with school, teens often play sports, take specialized lessons in the arts, work part time, attend school functions and clubs and spend time with their friends. If he has too much on his schedule, have him choose the most important ones and stick to a reasonable schedule that allows time for homew
