Exhausting Sleep Issues

Shanelle · 13 May 2011 at 4:19PM

Hi,
DD is currently revising for her GCSEs' and I know she's feeling the strain to achieve.

I find her arched over a book fast asleep, even after 1 hour max of revision. DD goes to sleep at 10pm and wakes at 8am next morning.

She seems frustated that she can't study for very long before getting sleepy, which is ineffective study, so not much point to it. I know this is really bugging her at the moment. She also tells me that during school if she's not doing anything she'll immediately feel tired

Why is it after 10 hours of sleep she can hardly keep awake after school?

Also

Does anyone have any suggestions for her to be alert during the day

ailuro2 · 13 May 2011 at 4:24PM

I'd think about taking her along to the GP to get her checked over, her iron levels might be low ( anaemia causes dreadful tiredness) it's pretty common for young girls not to eat enough iron-rich foods.

How is her diet, does she eat plenty of wholegrains, protein, wholemeal pasta, rice bread instead of the white version - not getting blood sugar levels right can cause tiredness. As can dehydration.

As I said, let your GP check her out, especially important at exam time, might even hand her a few leaflets on dealing with the stress of it all too ( again, that can make you feel washed out)

scooby088 · 13 May 2011 at 4:27PM

I found school during exam times very stressful and boring, thats what happens when you concentrate for long period of times, i would suggest going to bed earlier or when she gets home have a 20 min power nap.

Shanelle · 13 May 2011 at 4:28PM

ailuro2 wrote: »

I'd think about taking her along to the GP to get her checked over, her iron levels might be low ( anaemia causes dreadful tiredness) it's pretty common for young girls not to eat enough iron-rich foods.

How is her diet, does she eat plenty of wholegrains, protein, wholemeal pasta, rice bread instead of the white version - not getting blood sugar levels right can cause tiredness. As can dehydration.

As I said, let your GP check her out, especially important at exam time, might even hand her a few leaflets on dealing with the stress of it all too ( again, that can make you feel washed out)

Thanks for the suggestion. DD loves pasta and always has it and is fond of many protein rich foods. Considering this option of GP, but I assumed it was something regarding her sleeping pattern etc. Now you mention it, DD hasn;t suffered from being very tired before..

sashadesade · 13 May 2011 at 4:28PM

Agree that taking her to the doctors should be a priority. I had iron deficiency anemia as a teenager and it really does make it hard to do anything. I got to the stage where I couldn't stand up in the shower or climb the stairs without feeling completely drained - not fun!

shy-but-need-help · 13 May 2011 at 4:30PM

I second the anaemia possibility.

I also thought though, where is she studying- if it's dimly lit, too warm etc then that might not be helping her stay awake. Also get her to keep well hydrated.

Might be worth getting her to do short bursts, moving around in between each bit (Not the same I know but my 13 year old is homeschooled and with subjects like her sciences she studies a topic for maybe 20-30 minutes, does a self test at the end of it, gets up, does something else for 15 minutes or so or she'll study and then we'll go out for a walk to talk about what she's learned/taken in and then moves on to something else- short bursts and then recounting what she's learned help keep her more focused and better recall of what she's done.)

Shanelle · 13 May 2011 at 4:35PM

The tiredness only seems to creep in immediately after school and into study. DD enjoys studying believe it or not, and is highly competitive. She takes 15 min breaks after every 30 mins, and will usually take a walk or pop to a local shop. She doesn't actually find physical activites tiring, only ones where she needs to concentrate. She tried to explain to me that her eyes feel droopy and her mind will wander but her body movements are still normal.

Mrs_Arcanum · 13 May 2011 at 5:25PM

Try & get her to bed by 9pm. Teens doing exams need as much sleep as a toddler.

pigpen · 13 May 2011 at 5:26PM

it could be several medical conditions so def. worth getting her checked...

belfastgirl23 · 13 May 2011 at 6:38PM

I had glandular fever as a teen and these sound like fairly similar symptoms. Obviously this isn't medical advice but I would second what others have said - this could be caused by a range of physical conditions and you should get it checked out.