Kids today have a lot on their plate. As a result, many children have a hard time getting a good night’s rest, which can lead to issues with mood and behavior. This relationship is essential, which is why you should speak to a pediatrician if you notice developing issues with your child’s sleep cycle.

How Sleeplessness Impacts Your Mind

While one night of poor sleep can have temporary effects, chronic sleep deprivation really takes a toll. For example, lack of sleep affects memory, which could explain why your child is so forgetful. It can also negatively affect mood, causing irritability and making it more difficult to cope with stress reasonably. 

Concentration is also affected by lack of sleep. Other thought processes, such as decision making, reasoning, and alertness, are often diminished. Cognitive processing is key for children in school, especially as academic tasks become more complex. Sleeplessness also affects your child’s ability to learn and retain information. 

How to Tell Your Child Has a Sleep Disorder

There is a difference between regular sleepiness and a sleep disorder, which calls for the assistance of a pediatrician. Many kids experience nightmares, some of which make it hard to get sufficient rest. A child may also experience insomnia, which can result from stress, too much caffeine, or psychiatric issues. Narcolepsy is another disorder that afflicts children, which is characterized by bouts of sleep paralysis and daytime sleepiness.

If you suspect your child is experiencing a sleep disorder, a sleep wellness center can help. A sleep study will help your pediatrician understand what is causing your child’s sleep disturbance. From there, you can develop a treatment plan, which may encompass therapy, medication, and bedtime routines.

The sleep wellness center at Island Hospital is dedicated to helping patients in Anacortes, WA, get a good night’s rest. As the only pediatric sleep center north of Seattle, these pediatricians can help you and your child cope with complex sleep disorders. The staff uses innovative technology to diagnose the issue, which is the first step toward helping your child. Schedule a sleep study today by calling (360) 299-8676, and learn more about their pediatric services by visiting the website.