13 and can't sleep!!

Question

Ever since i was 9 i have had problems sleeping. i would lay in bed for 2-4 hours and not fall asleep so i would turn on the tv or go on the internet, and after a while i would fall asleep. soon i became so addicted to the computer and tv before bed that i wouldn't even bother to try to sleep and just wait until my mom went to sleep and watch tv or what ever. when i was 11 i started to do poorly in class because i would go a whole week without sleep. so when i got my god awful report card i figured out that was my problem so i talked to my mom and asked if i could keep my tv in her room until i got better grades and go over the night time addiction and asked if at night i could keep my computer in her room also, so i've been trying to do this for two years and all i do is toss and turn i almost got held back in school, I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with me before school starts so i don't flunk. has this happened to anyone? can someone help me?

Answer 1

See a doctor. You could be drinking too much coffee. Try to relax, try taking a shower 90 mins before you sleep. Then you'll feel alot nicer. But it looks like a serious problem.

Answer 2

have a few beers before bed

Answer 3

It is really hard for me to sleep too. I am 16 but it started a couple years ago. I know it sucks but you should not watch TV or be on the computer. The best thing you can do is just lay. I used to read before bed. I know it is lame but it makes your eyes tired like the TV or computer screen would but it is quiet and calming.  Also, drink something warm before bed. About the school thing, I would go to bed at 4 last year on school nights and wake up at 6. I WAS failing until I figured out what worked for me. Email me if you have more questions or anything. Hope this helped!

Answer 4

im 13 and i could not sleep then i got tylonal pm

works

Answer 5

Talk to a doctor.  It's solvable.

I've found these helpful:

regular exercise, meals, stress loads

some medication briefly, to start the ball rolling

staying away from computer or bright light near bedtime.

btw...these were part of being diagnosed with low level depression, and once that was solved, life got really nice.  My grades improved, my eating changed, my exercise became fun, my conversation and relationships became easier....helped a lot.  good luck.

Answer 6

that happens to me too....what you should do is get up really early and and exercise or tire yourself....do vigerous activity and make yourself superrr tireddd...then dont take a nap or anything...then at night keep the tv and computer out and youll be so tired you will fall asleep...then keep doing that untill you make a sleep pattern.....hope i helpedd you and good luck

Answer 7

I'm 13 too I always have a hard time falling asleep. You might need to tack sleeping pills.

Answer 8

A safe first try would be to take melatonin.  It is a naturally occuring hormone that works with the natural body rhythms, and responds to darkness. Blue light, such as morning light, will reduce the amount of melatonin in your system, and will wake you in the morning at some point.  And you don't have the hangover as you would with a sleep aid, Benadryl, or any of the 'PM' analgesics.

Speaking of blue light, that signals 'time to wake up' to your body.  Get rid of any blue lights (such as a 'cool white' light bulb in your room).  Don't use the computer after 8 or 9 pm (unless you do so through yellow glasses, to filter the blue), and TV might be a no-no.  If you must have noise, try the radio (I recently discovered Coast-to-Coast AM, and all of the freaky UFO talk usually puts me out in short order).

I would try a 3mg time released version of melatonin first.  It worked great for me when I couldn't sleep for days at a time.  You can order them online or pick it up at the grocery store, wal-mart or the health store.  GNC has it, but they are expensive.  

If that doesn't work, you might want to check with a doc.  He may have something for you.  But this herbal supplement is a safe and excellent entry into getting a handle on this sleep issue you have.  And its cheap.  Also, the other folks recommend warm milk, something sugary (such as a snickers bar, to induce a sugar crash), and maybe a warm bath.  Mix that with melatonin, and see what happens.

Hope this helps you.  Been where you are, and I wish you the best of luck in losing this sleeplessness thing.

-r