Depression and Insomnia in Adolescents

Dr. Ginari G. Price leverages more than a decade of clinical experience to serve as medical director of Psycare, a psychiatric treatment agency in Fayetteville, Georgia. Dr. Ginari G. Price also completed a fellowship in sleep medicine, a field which she has researched extensively.

The link between depression and insomnia is broadly documented across multiple populations. For instance, clinical evidence shows that those diagnosed with insomnia are 10 times more likely to develop depression than those who experience regular sleep, while those with depression are prone to develop sleep disturbances. 

For teenagers with insomnia, this dual diagnosis presents both mental and physical health risks. Recent studies reveal that children with co-morbid sleep disorders have more severe and longer-term depression symptoms, as well as a risk of impaired movement, weight loss, and the inability to experience feelings of pleasure.

Co-morbid depression and anxiety may also lead to increased risk-taking behaviors, such as substance abuse. Fortunately, clinical data also reveals that early treatment of insomnia can reduce depression risk by as much as 47 percent. Such treatment often involves the implementation of good sleep hygiene practices, which include eliminating screen time before bed and establishing a regular bedtime routine. However, because of the potential severity of adolescent insomnia and its side effects, experts recommend professional assessment for teenagers who show signs of sleep disturbances.