Treating Children for Insomnia

Believe it or not kids these days are struggling to fall asleep. We’re not talking about times that they’ve been hyped up by a pre-bed time pillow fight either. This is clinically diagnosed insomnia. Yes, children in the modern world are being diagnosed with insomnia.

It may be a good thing that these kids are being diagnosed early so they and their parents can develop healthy bed time rituals to prime their minds and bodies to go to sleep. Learning how to fall asleep could be vital later in life. But what if none of this is working? It’s a quick trip to the doctor’s office and a diagnosis of insomnia. What next?

Well, surprisingly, some physicians are prescribing drugs to help the kids sleep. Parents may love the first few nights of quiet and the few weeks of having a child that isn’t cranky. But what about the child’s health? Often these drugs are prescribed even though they have not been approved for that age group. As we age, we process drugs differently. Younger children and the elderly we process these foreign chemicals more slowly. This could mean higher susceptibility for side effects or negative reactions.

Here is where a caution should be included. No data for dosage or for length of prescription were included in a study of these prescribing habits. Even though it is unusual, the prescriptions likely were supplied in a very carefully considered treatment.

Treating Children for Insomnia

So, what other options are available if you don’t want your child to take drugs immediately. There are dietary and behavioural options but be warned, they take involvement and patience. Try limiting caffeine after 3pm or snacks after dinner. A behavioural option could be to set a ritual that is performed before every bed time such as a shower or bath or reading a segment of a book.

There are alternatives to drug therapy for your kids if they can’t fall asleep. It may be wise to consider them before filling that prescription. Few if any drugs designed to treat insomnia are approved for use by children or teens. This alone should signal caution when trying to help your child fall asleep.