4 Troubled Teens Blog

“Why didn’t I see it coming?”

When someone commits suicide, loved ones often ask themselves why they didn’t notice the warning signs. In retrospect, it may be possible to point to indications that something wasn’t right. But in real time, suicide warning signs aren't always easy to spot.

In an article that was distributed by Massachusetts' Coulter Press, psychiatrist Philip Gottlieb advised parents, teachers and other concerned parties to be on the lookout for subtle signs that might indicate that a child is at increased risk of suicide:

“Look for standard signs of depression, changes in sleep patterns, appetite, not wanting to do things that formerly interested them, a general loss of interest," suggested Gottlieb, medical director of Clinton Hospital’s Geriatric Medical Psychiatry Unit.

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people 25 and younger. Most people think suicide would never happen to anyone they know, but if you suspect someone may be at risk, don’t hesitate to get them help.

Labels: suicide, depression, sleep problems

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 1 Comment

Technology has many benefits, but it has its downfalls, too. Today, teenagers spend so much time texting, using video games, and chatting via the Internet that their normal patterns are being disrupted.

For some teens, so much technology has proven distracting and has interfered with their sleep, leading to health problems such as crankiness, headaches, weakened immune systems and impaired concentration. -- Source: Dulcinea Media

The best cure for sleep disorders and sleep-related problems is to turn off the cell phone, computer and video games at least an hour before bedtime, and encourage your teenager to do something else  like read.

Labels: text_messaging, sleep problems, technology, cell phones

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Irregular sleep patterns are a predictor of increased risk for suicide in young people, according to a new study from Stanford University.

Dr. Rebecca Bernert and her colleagues studied 49 suicidal college students for three weeks. Sleep irregularity was a "stand-alone" risk factor for suicidal thoughts and attempts.

"Compared to other suicide risk factors such as a past suicide attempt, disturbed sleep is modifiable, often invisible and amenable to treatment," Dr. Bernert said. "The study of sleep may inform suicide risk assessment and represent a clinically unique opportunity for intervention."

The study was presented at the meeting of Associated Sleep Societies.
 

Labels: suicide, sleep problems

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Teenagers may be more moody in the summer because the changing hours of daylight affect their minds, according to a new study from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

• Researchers asked 16 teenagers ages 13 and 14 years old to keep diaries of their sleep patterns.
• During the summer, they tended to spend more time outdoors in the evening , but yet they also woke up earlier because the sun came out earlier.
• This in turn shortened their sleep time.

"Extended exposure to sunlight adds to the difficulty teenagers have falling asleep at a reasonable hour," said lead author, Professor Mariana Figueiro. "In addition to the exposure to more evening light, teens also contend with not getting enough morning light to stimulate the body's biological system, also delaying bedtimes."

The study appeared in the journal Chronobiology.
 

Labels: behavioral_issues, sleep problems, mood_disorders

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 0 Comments

One in every three children or teenagers undergoing psychiatric care has trouble sleeping, according to a new study from Hasbro Children's Hospital in Rhode Island. Their doctors are very likely to recommend sleeping pills.

• Dr. Judith Owens and her colleagues surveyed 1,273 doctors who belong to the American Academy of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry.
• While the vast majority expressed concern about prescribing medications or recommending over-the-counter drugs for insomnia to children, such treatment was the most common clinical practice.
• The doctors in the survey were less likely to tell pediatric patients to use nondrug approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and sleep restriction.

"The most important rationale for the use of sleep medication among child psychiatrists is to manage the effects of sleep disruption on daytime functioning. It is important to note that concerns about side effects and the lack of evidence regarding their effectiveness were cited as significant barriers to their use," said Dr. Owens.

The study appears in the journal Sleep Medicine.
 

Labels: sleep, sleep problems

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 1 Comment