Why Is My Teenager Always Sleeping? What’s Normal and When To Worry

You’ve noticed that your teen spends a lot of time sleeping. Sometimes they don’t emerge from their room before noon on the weekends. Sometimes they crash right after school and don’t wake up until the next morning. They seem extra tired during the day, even after seeming to get enough sleep at night. 

You find yourself questioning, Is it normal for teenagers to stay in bed all day? 

Although teens do need lots of rest, if your teen always seems to be sleeping or tired, it may be a sign that something else is going on. 

We will address warning signs that your teen is struggling with fatigue, possible causes of excessive tiredness, and ways to support your sleepy teenager.

Table of Contents

• Is It Normal for a Teenager To Sleep All the Time?
• How Much Sleep Do Teenagers Really Need?
• Possible Warning Signs That Your Teen Is Struggling With Fatigue
• 6 Issues That May Lead to Excessive Sleepiness in Teens
• How To Support a Teen Who’s Always Sleepy
• Kiwi Recovery Can Help Teens Find Balance and Rest Through Healing

Teenagers require a lot of sleep; however, if they are regularly spending 12+ hours sleeping at a time, it could be a sign that something serious is happening. 

If your teen has an overloaded schedule during the school week, it is to be expected that they sleep in on the weekends as their body tries to catch up. 

Other reasons teens may require sleep for extended periods include: 

• Growth spurts
• Hormonal changes during puberty
• Recovering from illness 
• Increased activity 
• Increased responsibilities

Many parents of teens find themselves asking, “Should I be concerned if my child is sleeping a lot?” 

It is recommended that teenagers get 8-10 consecutive hours of sleep nightly to stay healthy and alert during the day. 

As teenagers develop, their circadian rhythms shift during puberty, making them feel tired much later in the evening. Therefore, teens tend to stay up late and sleep in. 

However, school schedules are not designed to align with teenage sleep needs. Early start times and demanding daily schedules may cause many teens to feel sleepy during the day or experience sleep deprivation. When they are home on the weekends, they spend their time catching up on sleep. 

Additionally, smartphones often contribute to teen sleep deficiencies and disruption. Many teens stay up too late scrolling, and the blue light emitted from phones disrupts the brain’s ability to fall into a deep sleep.

Parents should become concerned when their teen:

• Is excessively sleepy: When teens get the recommended hours of sleep but are still struggling to stay awake during the day, napping excessively, or sleeping for over 11 hours regularly, they could be struggling with fatigue. 
• Has difficulty waking up in the morning: When a teen has difficulty waking up in the morning after a full night’s sleep, it could be a sign that something else is happening. 
• Exhibits low energy: Getting tired quickly after physical exertion and relying increasingly on energy drinks or caffeine to get through the day indicates signs of fatigue. 
• Has mood changes and physical symptoms: Teens suffering from fatigue can experience increased and persistent irritability, sadness, anxiety, or physical symptoms. These changes may lead to social withdrawal and a lack of engagement in activities they previously enjoyed.

If you notice these signs, schedule a consultation with your child’s doctor to rule out physical issues that could be the root causes. 

The team at Kiwi Recovery is equipped to create a safe space for our teen clients to receive evidence-based care for behavioral health or addiction challenges with a unique and compassionate understanding of adolescent needs.

#1: Chronic Fatigue or Underlying Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions may contribute to teen sleep issues. Restless legs syndrome prevents teens from falling asleep quickly and reduces the amount of sleep they get because of the uncomfortable urge to move their legs when attempting to fall asleep. 

Teens who suffer from mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD may suffer from chronic fatigue due to difficulty falling and staying asleep. 

Additionally, conditions such as asthma or epilepsy may disrupt sleep cycles. 

To combat these issues, parents can: 

• Consult a medical professional for appropriate treatment 
• Address mental health issues through therapy or other supports 
• Modify lifestyle to maintain a consistent schedule and optimal sleep environment

#2: Poor Sleep Hygiene or Insomnia

Physical hygiene, such as sleeping in unwashed bedclothes that harbor odors and allergens, can cause discomfort or trigger allergic reactions that interrupt sleep. 

Sleep hygiene may be impacted by poor sleep schedules or the use of electronic devices before going to sleep. The body’s natural sleep cycle can be disrupted, which may lead to a lack of deep, restful sleep. 

Insomnia may result from poor sleep hygiene because it creates conditions that make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. This disruption of the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle makes it difficult to get restful sleep. 

Poor sleep hygiene may also contribute to: 

• Irritability 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• A weakened immune system

To combat poor sleep hygiene, it is important to: 

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule 
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine 
• Wash bedding regularly
• Avoid stimulants
• Engage in regular exercise

#3: Anxiety, Depression, or Other Mood Disorders

There is a distinct connection between mood disorders and sleep. The symptoms of mood disorders, such as racing thoughts and worry, may prevent the onset of sleep and cause frequent wakings during the night. 

Poor sleep quality may exacerbate the symptoms of mood disorders by: 

• Increasing irritability
• Making it difficult to manage emotions 
• Decreasing motivation
• Worsening depression and anxiety 

Addressing sleep problems can be an important part of managing mood disorders and vice versa. Some interventions that can improve sleep may also improve symptoms of mood disorders. 

Kiwi Recovery offers options for teens dealing with mental health and substance abuse challenges. Our programs provide therapeutic structure and a safe, judgment-free environment for young adults to heal.

#4: Side Effects of Medication

Medication side effects can affect sleep quality in a few ways, including: 

• Interfering with the natural sleep-wake cycle
• Causing excessive daytime sleepiness 
• Affecting the quality of deep sleep stages 

If your teen is taking a medication that affects their quality or quantity of sleep, some possible solutions are: 

• Adjusting the dosing or timing of the medication 
• Consulting their doctor to adjust medication or make lifestyle changes
• Talking to their health care provider before using herbal remedies

#5: Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders disrupt sleep patterns in significant ways, impacting the quality and duration of sleep, and result in consequences during the daytime hours. 

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which a person momentarily stops breathing during sleep. This leads to reduced oxygen levels and broken rest patterns. 

Hypersomnia is characterized by a steady urge to sleep during the day, even after an adequate night’s sleep. This may look like oversleeping or difficulty staying awake during the day. Hypersomnia may be caused by underlying conditions, such as sleep apnea, depression, or neurological factors. 

The effects of sleep disorders may affect a person’s daily life in many ways, including: 

• Relationships
• Cognitive function
• Job performance 
• Mood regulation
• Physical health

Creating a dark, quiet, clean space to sleep, consistent bedtime routines, and seeking professional help can help combat the effects of sleep disorders.

#6: Substance Use

Substance use interferes with the normal stages of sleep, especially deep sleep, which are needed for feeling rested. 

In some cases, substances act as stimulants, which increase dopamine levels and keep your teen from feeling sleepy. The body can’t relax, and sleep onset is delayed. 

In other cases, substances such as alcohol and opioids may cause sleep disturbances and reduce deep sleep. This may lead to insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

It is important to address sleep issues in conjunction with substance use problems because if left alone, sleep issues may contribute to increased chances of relapse. When sleep is also addressed during recovery, patients may improve their cognitive function and have better emotional stability. 

Kiwi Recovery’s experienced clinicians can help teens find the road to recovery if they are struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues. Using evidence-based practices, they provide the care teens need to overcome these challenges permanently.

Working together to establish healthy sleep habits is a great way to support your sleepy teenager. 

First, have a conversation that is free of judgment about your teen’s sleep habits. After you are on common ground, you can then: 

• Establish and encourage a regular sleep routine
• Help create an optimal sleep environment 
• Limit technology use and screen time before bed
• Monitor caffeine intake or substance use
• Encourage physical activity 
• Pay attention to patterns or other symptoms

After addressing the sleep environment, encouraging healthy habits, and modeling good sleep habits, you may need to seek professional guidance if your teen remains sleepy all the time or if their sleep is impacting their day-to-day functioning. 

Kiwi Recovery prioritizes creating a safe space for teen patients to overcome their struggles with mental health or addiction to give them a chance at a bright future. 

Our licensed and accredited staff offer evidence-based treatment and multiple program options with a customized treatment plan for recovery. 

A holistic approach helps address the root causes of the issues and helps teens develop healthy coping strategies. Family support is also provided to promote lasting healing and recovery. Contact us today to get started.

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The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.