Sleep problems are also amongst the most common symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders in young people, and yet are not currently a direct target of treatments for mental health. Sleep interventions may offer a way of preventing mental health problems from developing in teenage years or could help to reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression in young people.
Chronic sleep problems are common in teenagers and have far-reaching potential consequences; they can lead to longer term difficulties with anxiety, low mood, and poorer physical health. Sleep problems are also amongst the most common symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders in young people, and yet are not currently a direct target of treatments for mental health. Sleep interventions may offer a way of preventing mental health problems from developing in teenage years, or could help to reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression in young people.
In this lecture, held on Wednesday 21 November, Dr Faith Orchard, Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Charlie Waller Institute, explored why sleep is especially tricky during teenage years; how sleep problems are related to anxiety and depression; and what progress is being made on interventions for sleep.
The lecture was attended by parents of teenagers; current students; professionals who work with teenagers and young people; and others with an interest in the topics of sleep and adolescent mental health.
You can watch a recording of the lecture below. Photos from the evening are also available to view here.
