My Teen Won’t Get Out Of Bed: What To Do

Every parent of a teenager has experienced concern over how much or how little their child sleeps, especially when it comes to doing well in school and managing the rest of their lives. Sometimes, what started as something that happened now and then becomes habitual. Are you wondering why it seems like your teen won’t get out of bed and what you can do about it? Hillcrest offers residential and outpatient treatment for teenagers who deal with poor mental health, which often manifests in habits like staying in bed a great deal of the time. Are you worried about your teen who does anything to avoid getting out of bed? Let us help by providing an assessment to discover what’s going on and find the right program to fit their unique needs. Contact Hillcrest today to find effective and life-changing mental healthcare for teenagers.

Learn more about our teen treatment programs or verify your insurance today.

How Come My Teen Won’t Get Out of Bed?

The reasons why a teen won’t get out of bed can be complicated or simple, and parents often have initial difficulty determining what’s going on. Their sleep schedules may also differ when they are on an extended break from school or on summer vacation.  

Hormonal Changes

Teenagers produce melatonin at later hours of the day than they did as children. This causes them to become sleepy later, including sometimes not being ready to fall asleep until midnight or later. Subsequently, their bodies aren’t ready to wake up until later in the morning than many people. Because teenagers should ideally get eight to ten hours of sleep per night, they may be exhausted when the alarm goes off for school or other early morning obligations.

Exhaustion

Teenagers who don’t regularly get eight to ten hours of sleep a night build up a sleep deficit. This is why many teenagers sleep in on the weekends and when school vacations begin. Their bodies are trying to make up for their cumulative sleep loss, so they operate at their optimum ability.

Bed Rotting

Some teenagers take to their beds to deal with having been through an exhausting situation, such as cramming for exams or working extra hours on the job. They may also feel overwhelmed by the world and the expectations they, their parents, and teachers have of them. For some, bed rotting is a temporary way to relax and recharge, while for others, it’s a sign of a mental health disorder like depression.

Mental Health Issues

Excessive sleeping over a long period can mean a person has depression or another type of mental health disorder. For example, anxiety and panic attacks may cause a person to only feel safe in their bed. Lethargy can also be a sign of different types of mental illnesses. 

How Do I Help My Teen Who Won’t Get Out of Bed?

When a person’s teen won’t get out of bed, they can take them for an assessment to determine if a mental illness is in play. Additionally, they can help by making sure their child has a sleep-friendly environment, which includes a dark, quiet, and temperature-controlled place to sleep every night. Parents can ask their teenager to stop all screen time 30 minutes before bedtime and try to stick to a regular time of getting up and going to bed.

Remember that a teenager’s brain is hard-wired to be more active hours after they awake. Schedule appointments and things to do in the afternoon, when possible. Regular exercise also helps regulate sleep. Finally, parents can open a calm dialogue and ask their child what makes staying in bed so appealing and if they are dealing with stressors at school, at a job, or with friends, or if they feel anxious, depressed, or frightened about something going on. 

When a Mental Health Analysis is Necessary

While many teens go through periods of sleeping a lot, if they seek the shelter of their bed for an excessive amount of time, it may indicate a mental health disorder. This is especially true if the child also experiences symptoms such as depression, anxiety, moodiness, or cognitive difficulties.  

How Are Teen Mental Health Disorders Treated?

Teenagers with mental health disorders have specific needs that are best addressed by attending treatment programs that take into account who they are and what therapies will work best for them. Residential and Partial Hospitalization Programs may offer tutoring for each student to help them keep up with their studies while getting the multi-disciplinary care they need. Along with different types of therapies, many teens do well using prescription medications that help them feel more in control and less anxious or depressed. 

Begin Treatment for Mental Illness in Teenagers at Hillcrest

If your teen won’t get out of bed, they may be dealing with symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health disorders. As much as parents and other caregivers want to help young people, when it comes to helping with mental illness, it takes a licensed, professional treatment program to help them manage or overcome their symptoms. Hillcrest offers highly effective residential and outpatient programs that teach young people to identify their issues and triggers so they can learn healthy coping mechanisms to help them minimize their symptoms. We provide confidential and compassionate care that helps teenagers get out of bed and back into participating in life.

Contact us now for more information on how we can help your teenager live up to their full potential. We can answer any questions you have and provide a free insurance verification.