When Teen Exhaustion Goes Beyond Normal

You’ve heard “I’m tired” so many times you’ve lost count.

Morning, afternoon, evening – doesn’t matter. Your teen is exhausted.

At first, you figured it was January. Back to school after winter break is always rough. But it’s been weeks now, and if anything, they’re getting worse.

You’re starting to worry. Should you be worried?

🤔 Trust Your Gut

As a parent, you know your kid. You know their energy levels, their mood, their “normal.”

And right now? This doesn’t feel normal.

Here’s the thing: you’re probably right.

When exhaustion is severe enough that you’re Googling it, questioning it, losing sleep over it – that’s your parental instinct telling you something’s off.

🚨 Signs This Isn’t “Just Teen Tiredness”

• They’re sleeping 10-12+ hours and still exhausted
• Can’t wake up for school even with multiple alarms
• Falling asleep in class, during homework, while watching TV
• Stopped doing activities they used to love
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Grades suddenly dropping
• Other symptoms (sore throat, pale skin, weight changes, mood shifts)

If you’re seeing several of these? Time to get them checked.

🩺 What Parents Should Know

Extreme exhaustion in teens is often a symptom of something treatable:

😷 Mononucleosis (“Mono”)

Most common in teens.

Causes: Extreme fatigue (lasting weeks), sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever. Spread through saliva – shared drinks, kissing, even sharing food.

🩸 Anemia (Low Iron)

Especially common in teenage girls.

Causes: Constant tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, cold hands/feet. Often related to menstruation or diet.

Thyroid Issues

More common in teen girls than you’d think.

Causes: Overwhelming fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold all the time, dry skin, “brain fog,” difficulty concentrating.

💤 Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome.

Causes: Sleeping for hours but waking up exhausted, snoring, gasping during sleep, never feeling rested.

😔 Depression or Anxiety

Mental health = physical symptoms.

Causes: Crushing fatigue, loss of interest in everything, withdrawal, changes in appetite, overwhelming sadness or worry.

🍔 Nutritional Deficiencies

Vitamin D, B12, and other deficiencies.

Causes: Fatigue, weakness, difficulty concentrating. Common in teens who skip meals or follow restrictive diets.

💙 How We Help at Night Watch

At Night Watch, we specialize in pediatric and adolescent care. We understand that teens aren’t just “small adults” – their bodies and brains work differently.

We can:

• Run comprehensive blood work (mono, anemia, thyroid, vitamins)
• Conduct thorough physical exams
• Screen for mental health concerns
• Provide treatment or specialist referrals
• Answer all your worried-parent questions

Most importantly: we take your concerns seriously.

📅 When Should You Come In?

Don’t wait until it’s “bad enough.” Come in if:

• Exhaustion has lasted more than 2 weeks
• It’s affecting their school performance or social life
• They have other symptoms
• They’ve stopped doing things they used to enjoy
• Your gut tells you something’s wrong

You know your child better than anyone. If something feels off, trust that instinct.

Your worry isn’t an overreaction. It’s good parenting. Let’s figure out what’s going on together.