Teen Insomnia Increases Risk of Depression and Substance Abuse

Teens with sleeping troubles are vulnerable to depression, drug use, binge drinking and suicidal ideation later in life, shows new research published in the October 1 edition of the journal SLEEP.

The study examined 4,494 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18. Of these, 9.4 percent of adolescents reported having difficulties falling asleep every night or almost every night.

At a follow-up six to seven years later, results showed that reporting insomnia during adolescence was a significant risk factor for a number of mental health problems. After adjusting for sex and baseline depression, results showed that subjects who had suffered insomnia as adolescents were 2.3 times as likely to develop depression as young adults. They were also more likely to develop problems with alcohol, marijuana and other substances and were more likely to attempt and think about suicide.

When all subjects with existing mental health problems were excluded, those with insomnia were significantly more likely to develop new problems.

Overall the study found that girls with or without insomnia were twice as likely to develop depression while boys were more likely to engage in substance abuse.

ABSTRACT: Adolescent Insomnia as a Risk Factor for Early Adult Depression and Substance Abuse