LOMA LINDA – (INT) - The Nearly 75% of teen patients seeking treatment for insomnia also suffer from an underlying, diagnosed mental health condition, primarily ADHD or depression, according to a new study.

Researchers who conducted the study said its findings suggest adolescent healthcare providers should consider possible mental health symptoms when addressing sleep concerns.

“These rates were surprisingly high, even when we accounted for the fact that some insomnia and mental health symptoms overlap,” said Tori Van Dyk, PhD, MA, assistant professor at Loma Linda University School of Behavioral Health and lead author of the study.

Emotional and behavioral problems have long been known to be associated with sleep issues, but Van Dyk said little was known about the mental health of teenagers who seek treatment specifically for sleep issues. “Our findings reinforce what many sleep clinicians know: you can’t treat sleep problems without considering the role of mental health,” she said.

The study, “Rates of Mental Health Symptoms and Associations With Self-Reported Sleep Quality and Sleep Hygiene in Adolescents Presenting for Insomnia Treatment," used data from 376 adolescents, ages 11 to 18 years, seeking treatment for insomnia. The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in October, was conducted by researchers at Loma Linda University Health and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Story Date: February 27, 2020