Has any one ever taken Melatonin?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Try to get her to get some "morning sunlight". Melatonin is a chemical that the body naturally produces. Make sure she is not deficient in vitamins too. Any anxiety can really disrupt the body's chemical balance too. Try to get her some help as]to how to deal with her anxiety. Anxiety can also be the main cause for not being able to sleep right.

Yes, I have used it. I took 3 mg tablets. They work, over the short-term. After about 3 weeks, they no longer work. If you wait 2 weeks, you can use them again, and they will work again. It is best used a temporary fix. It is a hormone the body produces naturally, so when used according to directions, there are no other side effects.
Your daughter needs to get her body producing melatonin naturally, and on time. First, she should have no light in her room at night. Even a nightlight in the hall can disrupt melatonin production. It is only produced adequately in total darkness.
She should be getting adequate amounts of all her vitamins and trace minerals to keep her systems functioning properly. A well-balanced diet and multivitamin are a good start. Vitamin D is very important to quality sleep. Get her to drink vitamin D fortified milk, or spend some time outdoors without sunscreen.
Her bedroom environment is vital. It should be used for sleeping, and storing her clothing, nothing else. It needs to be absolutely clean, cool, and comfortable. She should be disouraged from sleeping with pets. Keep electronics and schoolwork out of her bedroom, or at least do not allow her to sleep with the tv on. That disrupts deep sleep. Using a cell phone (even just texting) close to bed-time will disrupt sleep, due to the electromagnetic waves cell phones emit. Cell phone use should be banned within an hour of bedtime, and the phone should be on a charger in another room. Laptop computers and other electronic devices, video games, etc. should be turned off an put away an hour before bedtime. The bright light they emit delays melatonin production. TV watching is just as bad. Schoolwork should be completed much earlier in the day or evening, so her mind is not going full-throttle when she is trying to go to sleep. A warm bath or shower an hour before bed will help her relax, even if she prefers a morning shower. Until bed-time she should read something calm and pleasurable, nothing heavy or action-packed. If she doesn't read for pleasure, encourage her to work on any calm, relaxing hobby she might have, such as knitting or jigsaw puzzles. If she doesn't have one, try to gently encourage her to develop some interests. The point is to slow down the brain, get into a relaxed, calm state, prepare the mind and body for sleep. Turn off bright, unecessary lights. A table lamp or two should provide enough light to see by.
In the morning, open the blinds and curtains, open the windows in good weather, and get her outside as early as possible. Encourage her to go on morning walks with you, get her to walk the dog, anything. The body needs a good dose of sunlight as soon after awakening as possible. Even on cloudy days it helps to get outside. That helps reset and regulate the body's clock.
Lastly, find a psychologist who specializes in teens. They are out there. Her anxiety needs to be dealt with, espcially if it is affecting her ability to sleep. Don't just take her to the family doctor and get a prescription for anti-anxiety medication. That justs masks the symptoms. The root of the problem needs to be dealt with. It may be more severe than she lets on. Many times, kids will play down such things, so you don't worry. Someone she can talk to, who swears to keep her secrets confidential, may be the best thing for her.
Hope my suggestions help. Good luck with your daughter.

Has had bouts of insomnia.

It is a hormone so it may not be a good idea for a teenager to take it. Valerian is a herb for insomnia.