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Sleep Deprivation and Mental Health


Sleep Deprivation and Mental Health


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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?


  1. Consult with the Best Clinical Psychologist in India at the Top Mental Health Online Counselling  Platform in India.
  2. Practice and maintain good sleep hygiene
  3. 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.
  4. Take the self-care program and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy by leading Top Psychologist in India.
  5. Exercise regularly
  6. Write Thoughts periodically.
  7. Practice Spiritual acts like love, peace harmony, kindness, etc.