15-year-old middle school student has difficulty falling asleep at night

Jan 25, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
In general, difficulty falling asleep at night among 15-year-old middle school students may be related to excessive stress, medication side effects, anxiety disorders, insomnia, sleep apnea syndrome, or other causes, and targeted treatments are recommended. Middle school students should seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital. In daily life, they should maintain a balanced diet, go to bed early, and rise early, which is beneficial for overall health.

Generally, difficulty falling asleep at night for a 15-year-old middle school student may be related to excessive stress, medication side effects, anxiety disorder, insomnia, sleep apnea syndrome, and other causes. Targeted interventions are recommended. It is advised that students seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital. Specific details are as follows:

1. Excessive Stress

Academic pressure on middle school students is often high. Long-term or excessive stress can cause the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Elevated levels of these hormones may disrupt circadian rhythms and impair sleep quality. Students should actively manage their stress through activities like regular physical exercise and increased communication with others.

2. Medication Side Effects

If a student is taking certain medications, these may affect the nervous system or interfere with melatonin production, thereby disrupting normal sleep patterns. The student should consult a doctor to adjust the dosage or switch to a more suitable alternative medication.

3. Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder is a common mental health condition, typically characterized by excessive worry, tension, fear, and difficulty falling asleep. These emotional symptoms can significantly impact a student's daily life. Treatment under medical supervision may include medications such as sertraline hydrochloride tablets, duloxetine hydrochloride enteric-coated tablets, and tandospirone citrate tablets.

4. Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up early. It often leads to daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and mood fluctuations, affecting daily functioning. Treatment based on medical advice may include medications such as *Polygala tenuifolia* tablets (Qiyeshen'an Pian), estazolam tablets, and Tianmeng capsules.

5. Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Sleep apnea syndrome is a common sleep disorder primarily characterized by repeated episodes of paused or shallow breathing during sleep, which can impair sleep quality and contribute to difficulty falling asleep. Symptoms may be alleviated with medications such as atorvastatin calcium tablets, acetazolamide tablets, and aminophylline tablets, as recommended by a physician.

In daily life, middle school students should maintain a balanced diet, go to bed early, rise early, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to support overall well-being.

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