Sleep Difficulties
Sleep plays a crucial role in a young person’s emotional, cognitive, and physical development. However, many children and adolescents struggle with sleep difficulties, which can significantly impact their mood, concentration, and overall wellbeing. Sleep issues may include:
- Difficulty falling asleep (insomnia)
- Frequent night wakings
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Restless or poor-quality sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Delayed sleep phase (staying up very late and struggling to wake up in the morning)
Sleep difficulties can be caused or worsened by factors such as anxiety, stress, trauma, screen use before bed, poor sleep habits, neurodevelopmental conditions (such as ADHD or autism), and medical conditions. When sleep is disrupted over time, it can contribute to emotional regulation difficulties, increased irritability, difficulty focusing at school, and a higher risk of anxiety and depression.
At Future Minds Psychology, we support young people in improving their sleep by:
- Assessing underlying causes of sleep difficulties, such as anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or behavioural habits.
- Developing healthy sleep routines, including bedtime habits and relaxation strategies.
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to address negative thought patterns and behaviours that interfere with sleep.
- Teaching emotional regulation and self-soothing strategies to manage stress or nighttime anxiety.
- Collaborating with parents and caregivers to create a structured and supportive sleep environment.
By improving sleep, young people often experience better emotional resilience, concentration, and overall wellbeing. If your child or adolescent is struggling with sleep, we can help them develop strategies to get the rest they need to thrive.
