What is Teen Fatigue?
Teenagers go through many physical and emotional changes during puberty. Hormonal shifts and rapid growth can lead to extreme fatigue. While tiredness is commonly relieved by quality sleep and nourishment, fatigue is a persistent feeling of exhaustion and weakness in the body that is not relieved by sleeping, eating, exercise or restful activities.
In addition to physical ailments, underlying mental health conditions like depression and anxiety can contribute to teen fatigue. If you have a teenager in your life, it’s important to recognize the signs and know when to seek a professional assessment. Treatment can drastically improve mood and energy levels, leading to less fatigue.
Why Do Teens Experience Fatigue?
Teens may experience fatigue for several reasons:
- Studying for school and/or being involved in extracurricular activities
- Having an outside job in addition to school, resulting in extra stress
- Having an undiagnosed mental health disorder
- Being in a stressful and/or abusive home environment
- Bullying and/or social pressures
- Experiencing a traumatic event
- Going through puberty, particularly menstruation for teenage girls
- Having illnesses such as mononucleosis and pneumonia
- Experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Note that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by six or more months of physical and mental exhaustion. CFS may linger from mono or other Epstein-Barr viruses, or there may not be an obvious cause. Because CFS symptoms can overlap with those of mental health disorders, make sure your teen is evaluated by a healthcare professional. You can start with your child’s primary physician and ask about a referral to a psychiatrist or treatment center.
Signs and Symptoms of Teen Fatigue
Watch out for the following warning signs of fatigue in your teen:
- Frequent exhaustion, even after eight or more hours of uninterrupted sleep
- Low energy most of the time, even after normal activities
- Sad or down for several consecutive days or even weeks at a time
- Lack of motivation and desire to do things that would normally be of interest
- Increased irritability and/or nervousness
- Difficulty staying focused on tasks at hand and completing objectives
- Constant interruptions in concentration (mind wandering, spacing out)
- Sore and/or weak muscles and joints (possibly with increased injuries)
- Headaches and/or gastrointestinal discomfort
- Dizziness and/or disassociation
- Brain fog and memory issues (forgetfulness, difficulty thinking clearly and remembering details)
- Appetite changes (becoming more or less hungry)
Teen Fatigue and Co-occurring Disorders
Teens may have difficulty identifying and expressing their emotions, especially when they’re bombarded with a lot of information at once. Sensory overload can be very overwhelming and lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance use and disordered eating habits. When mental health disorders combine with co-occurring disorders, fatigue becomes the most recognizable symptom.
Mental Health Disorders and Teen Fatigue
Mental health disorders associated with fatigue include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder (BPD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because the symptoms of these conditions can be similar, it is vital to seek an official diagnosis from a healthcare professional to determine the best level of care.
Eating Disorders and Teen Fatigue
Without nourishment, the body cannot sustain energy. When someone is struggling with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, their bodies lack sufficient nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal brain and body function. Fatigue becomes a primary symptom when someone is malnourished.
Substance Use Disorders and Teen Fatigue
When under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol, teens may make decisions they would not under different circumstances. They may stay out too late partying, sacrificing sleep, or use stimulants to stay up late and study. The crash that follows is intense, creating a rollercoaster effect of energy bursts and exhaustion.
Seeking Treatment
If you suspect your teen is struggling with fatigue for any reason, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program. Our adolescent programs include varying levels of care, from residential (RTC) to partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) based on your teen’s needs. In fact, 92% of patients who complete mental health treatment at Discovery believe they can meet their personal goals going forward.
Contact us today.
More From Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome vs. Depression
- Depression in Teens: Help for Worried Parents
- How Parents Can Help Teens with Trauma
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5819886/
https://www.nami.org/depression-disorders/recognizing-the-lesser-known-symptoms-of-depression/