Sleep disturbances in children may seem like a simple issue. However, they can actually have serious effects on their mental health. Recently, there’s a new study about kids experiencing sleep problems at age 10 who are more likely to face suicidal thoughts by age 12.
This raises an important question for many. How does poor sleep affect a child’s emotional well-being?
What is Sleep Disturbance and How Does it Affect Children?
Sleep disturbances in children happen when something messes with their normal sleep. They may experience trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Good sleep is important for their physical, mental, and emotional health during their growth years.
Children might feel cranky or tired when they lack sleep. This can affect their overall development. Their shortened sleep can affect their school performance, behavior, and even health.
Types of Sleep Disturbances
Sleep disturbances in children can manifest in many forms. Common issues include insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep), nightmares, and night terrors.
Irregular bedtimes or too much screen time can disrupt a child’s sleep. This prevents them from getting what is called deep sleep. Deep sleep is needed for growth and brain development. Moreover, it is also important for managing emotions.
How Common Are Sleep Disturbances in Children?
Up to 30% of children deal with sleep disturbances during their lifetime. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that about more than 25% of kids younger than 5 have trouble sleeping. These sleep challenges are more common than many realize.
Moreover, sleep apnea affects about 1% to 10% of children, with higher risks in those who are overweight or have conditions like Down syndrome. Despite this, sleep issues in kids are often ignored or mistaken for behavioral problems. These numbers show how common sleep disturbances can be in childhood.
The Impact of Sleep Disturbance on Physical Health
Sleep disturbances directly affect a child’s physical health. When children don’t get enough sleep, their bodies struggle to repair and grow properly. Growth hormone, important for development, is mostly released during deep sleep.
Without enough sleep, kids may grow slower and have weaker immune systems. They can also be more likely to develop obesity. Poor sleep also makes it harder for kids to control their movements. This raises their risk of accidents.
Cognitive and Emotional Consequences
Sleep is essential for cognitive function. During sleep, the brain consolidates memories, processes information, and clears out toxins that build up during the day. When children don’t get enough quality sleep, they may experience problems with attention, memory, and learning. This can lead to difficulties in school performance and reduced ability to focus on tasks.
Sleep-deprived children often have trouble managing their emotions. They may be more irritable, anxious, or have frequent mood swings. Eventually, a lack of sleep can increase the risk of developing anxiety and depression. These emotional struggles can affect their social lives too. They may find it harder to keep friendships or bond with others. Building connections might become a challenge.
Behavioral Issues and Sleep Disturbance
Children with sleep disturbances may show behaviors like hyperactivity, impulsivity, or defiance. Sometimes, sleep problems are mistaken for ADHD because both can cause issues like trouble focusing, restlessness, and acting out.
It’s easy to confuse the two. Nonetheless, treating sleep issues can sometimes help resolve these behaviors. In some cases, addressing sleep disturbance can reduce the need for other interventions.
What Did the Study Reveal About the Link Between Sleep Disturbance and Suicidal Behaviors?
A recent longitudinal cohort study titled Sleep Disturbance and Subsequent Suicidal Behaviors in Preadolescence found a strong link between sleep disturbances at age 10 and suicidal behaviors by age 12. It may show how early sleep problems can have serious consequences later on.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The study was part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. It’s the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the U.S. Researchers followed 8,807 children, aged 9 to 10, for a two-year period.
Their goal was to see if sleep problems in preadolescents were connected to suicidal behaviors by age 12. Researchers gathered data from kids and their parents or caregivers. Participants were also recruited from 21 different sites across the country.
Parents filled out the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. It is a 26-item questionnaire to check for sleep issues like trouble falling asleep, frequent waking, daytime sleepiness, and nightmares. The children were also assessed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-COMP). This tool looks for signs of suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Researchers made sure to adjust for factors like anxiety, depression, and demographic differences. This helped them get more accurate results. All of this was done to understand the connection between sleep problems and other mental health issues.
What Did the Study Find About Sleep and Suicidal Behaviors?
The findings of the study are alarming but insightful. At the two-year follow-up, 8,044 children (91.3%) had no reported suicidal behaviors. But 763 (8.7%) exhibited various forms of suicidal ideation or had attempted suicide. Specifically:
- 317 children (3.6%) experienced passive suicidal ideation.
- 258 children (2.9%) had active nonspecific suicidal thoughts.
- 130 children (1.5%) had active specific suicidal thoughts.
- 58 children (0.7%) attempted suicide for the first time.
The study found a strong link between sleep disturbances and a higher risk of suicidal behaviors in children. Kids with severe sleep issues, like frequent nightmares and constant daytime sleepiness, were at greater risk. Within two years, these children were more likely to develop suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide.
The data showed that children with severe sleep problems were more than twice as likely to engage in suicidal behaviors. The odds ratio was 2.68, indicating a significant increase in risk.
Why Are Nightmares and Excessive Sleepiness Significant Risk Factors?
Among the various types of sleep disturbances, nightmares and excessive daytime sleepiness appeared as particularly strong predictors of suicidal behaviors in preadolescents. This is concerning but not entirely surprising, given the psychological impact of these issues.
- Nightmares: Nightmares can be distressing for anyone. For children, they can cause chronic fear, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation. Repeated nightmares are often linked to anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Both of which are known risk factors for suicidal behaviors. Nightmares can also lead to disrupted sleep patterns, further exacerbating emotional instability and increasing the likelihood of negative thoughts.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: This condition can severely impair a child’s cognitive function, mood regulation, and ability to cope with stress. Preadolescents who are constantly tired during the day may struggle with irritability, emotional control, and difficulty concentrating. All of which can lead to feelings of hopelessness or helplessness — precursors to suicidal ideation.
How Does This Study Help in Youth Suicide Prevention?
Sleep can serve as a visible and measurable risk factor for suicidal behaviors. Unlike more hidden mental health symptoms, sleep disturbances are often more apparent to parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The visibility is important for early intervention and preventing youth suicide.
The study showed that tackling sleep issues in children, especially those with nightmares or excessive sleepiness, could lower the risk of future suicidal behaviors.
It stresses how important sleep assessments are in regular health checkups for kids. This is especially true for those dealing with anxiety or emotional distress. Paying attention to their sleep can make a big difference.
What Are the Implications for Parents and Healthcare Providers?
Watch the child’s sleep habits closely. Trouble sleeping, frequent nightmares, or constant daytime tiredness might point to emotional or psychological problems. It could be a sign of deeper emotional or psychological issues.
Ignoring these signs can lead to bigger problems down the road. It’s important to address sleep disturbances early on. Reaching out to a pediatrician or child psychologist can help identify what’s going on. This way, parents can get the right treatment before the situation worsens.
Pediatricians and mental health professionals need to recognize the strong link between sleep problems and suicidal behaviors. Screening for sleep issues should be a key part of mental health assessments. This is especially important for children at risk for anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Early detection can make a big difference in their well-being.
Why Choose the Insomnia and Sleep of Arizona for Your Child’s Mental Health?
Your child needs good sleep for their mental health and overall well-being. Our ISIA team specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders that affect emotional and cognitive development. We offer care plans to target sleep issues early on.
Our advanced treatments aim to help your child thrive both mentally and physically. We have experienced specialists to provide the support and solutions your family needs. Better sleep can lead to better mental health for your child. Let us help improve your family’s sleep today.
References
Gowin, J. L., Stoddard, J., Doykos, T. K., Sammel, M. D., & Bernert, R. A. (2024). Sleep Disturbance and Subsequent Suicidal Behaviors in Preadolescence. PubMed, 7(9), e2433734–e2433734. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.33734
CHAN, J., EDMAN, J. C., & KOLTAI, P. J. (2004). Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children. American Family Physician, 69(5), 1147–1155. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/0301/p1147.html
Adam, H. (2021). Sleep Disturbances. Pediatric Care Online. https://doi.org/10.1542/aap.ppcqr.396454
Bruni, O., & Novelli, L. (2010). Sleep disorders in children. BMJ Clinical Evidence, 2010, 2304. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217667/
- Michaela Rikard, Strahan, A. E., Schmit, K. M., & Guy, G. P. (2023). Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(15), 379–385. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1
Disclaimer: Study results are provided for reference and do not serve as a diagnosis or treatment plan.
