Sleep deprivation is
defined as getting less than the recommended amount of sleep, which for adults
is seven to nine hours per night. Children and teenagers require even more
sleep than adults.
In this way, sleep deprivation has a
broader application. For example, a person who sleeps for a total of eight
hours but has frequent awakenings that disrupt their sleep may be getting
insufficient sleep even though their sleep duration technically meets the
recommended amount. This terminology is distinct from everyday conversation, in
which the term sleep deprivation may be used with a broader meaning that refers
to poor sleep overall rather than just total sleep duration.
There are Different Kinds of Sleep
Deprivation. Sleep deprivation and sleep insufficiency can be classified differently
depending on a person’s circumstances. According to Prof (Dr) R.K Suri
Best
Clinical Psychologist in India there are three types of sleep
deprivation and there are:
- Acute sleep deprivation refers to a brief period, usually a
few days or less, during which a person’s sleep time is significantly reduced. - Chronic sleep deprivation, also
known as insufficient sleep syndrome, is defined by the American Academy of
Sleep Medicine as interrupted sleep that lasts three months or longer. - Chronic sleep deficiency or insufficient sleep can refer to
ongoing sleep deprivation as well as poor sleep caused by sleep fragmentation
or other disruptions.
Many symptoms are caused by a
lack of sleep. Among the most common symptoms are:
Sleepiness during the day, Fatigue, anger, anxiety,
irritability, thinking, focusing, and remembering difficulties, reaction times
have been slowed, and headaches.
The symptoms become more severe as
sleep deprivation continues. Many of the more severe symptoms resemble the
effects of alcoholism. Severe sleep deprivation symptoms include:
Micro sleeps when a person briefly
falls asleep for only seconds walking back up when a person briefly falls
asleep for only seconds before walking back up, eye movements that are
uncontrollable, difficulty speaking clearly, eyelids droop, tremors in the
hands, hallucinations that are both visual and tactile (based on touch),
impaired decision-making ability, behavior that is impulsive (or even reckless).
What causes a lack of sleep?
Sleep deprivation can occur for a
variety of reasons. Many of these are related to your personal circumstances;
working on the shift especially shifts that happen partly or fully during
nighttime hours, using alcohol addiction, later
in the day, using stimulants such as caffeine, poor sleeping habits, high
levels of stress,
traveling and sleeping in a new or unfamiliar place, such as a hotel, sleep
deprivation can, however, occur for medical reasons. Here are a few examples:
Sleep apnea causes a lack of quality
sleep; Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are examples of degenerative
brain disorders, concerns about mental health, traumatic brain injuries and
concussions,
Pain, insomnia, restless leg syndrome
(RLS), night terrors, sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, and other disruptive sleep
disorders are examples of night terrors, corticosteroids, stimulants, and other
medications. Short-term illnesses and infections, including the common cold,
flu, and others. Often relationship
conflicts also cause poor sleep. Consult
with
the best Online Counselor to
identify the reasons for sleep deprivation, and take the package for an Online
Counselling session with a Best Psychologist in India at the
best Online Counselling & Mental
Health wellbeing platform.
Mental health
The term “mental
health” refers to a person’s cognitive,
behavioral, and emotional well-being. It all comes down to how people think,
feel, and act. The term “mental health” is sometimes used to refer to
the absence of a mental disorder. Mental health can have an impact on daily
life, relationships, and physical health. People’s lives, interpersonal relationships, and
physical factors can all contribute to mental illness.
Mental health is
defined as a state of mental well-being that allows people to cope with life’s
stresses, recognize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to
their community.
Mental health is essential because it
allows for dealing with life’s stresses, maintaining good physical health, and
maintaining positive relationships. Make a significant contribution to your
community, work efficiently, and make the most of your abilities.
Mental health is important because it
can have an impact on your physical health. Mental disorders, for example, can
increase your risk of physical health problems such as stroke, type 2 diabetes,
and heart disease.
Sleep deprivation and mental health
Sleep allows the mind to rest and
recharge. When we get enough sleep, memories, emotions, and new information are
processed and stored in our minds for later retrieval. So you remember the name
of the new coworker who started in your office last week. If you don’t get
enough sleep, let’s hope you don’t run into that new coworker in the bathroom.
Because sleep is the time our minds set aside for mental processing, it stands
to reason that when we don’t get enough sleep, we become forgetful. That isn’t all.
Sleep is also a time for emotional processing. This is why, if we do not get
enough rest, we suffer greatly.
Mental health Impacts sleep– There
is no denying that sleep and mental health are closely linked. Sleep
deprivation has an impact on mental health, and vice versa. One thing is
certain: when our mental health suffers, our sleep suffers as well.
What’s the connection between sleep
and mental health?
As per brain imaging studies that
show what happens when you sleep, a good night’s sleep helps build mental and
emotional resilience. Poor sleep, on the other hand, can create conditions for
negative thinking and emotional vulnerability. This is because adequate sleep,
remarkably rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, assists your brain in processing
dynamic information. Sleep deprivation is especially detrimental to processing
positive emotional content. Sleep deprivation also makes it difficult to use
the parts of your brain that help you manage emotions. This can affect your
mood and emotional reactivity, which are linked to mental health conditions and
their severity.
What should be done to improve Sleep?
- Consult
with the Best
Clinical Psychologist in
India at the Top Mental Health Online Counselling Platform in India. - Practice
and maintain good sleep hygiene - In case
the medication is indicated for sleep consults with the best Online Psychiatrist of
India and book an appointment at the click of a mouse anytime from anywhere. - Take
the self-care program and Cognitive
Behaviour Therapy by leading Top Psychologist
in India. - Exercise
regularly - Write
Thoughts periodically. - Practice Spiritual acts like love, peace harmony, kindness,
etc.