Sleep deprivation depression

Sleep deprivation depression.

We have all been victims of lack of sleep at one time or the other. Often people brush it off but sleep deprivation can have adverse effects. Recent statistics indicate that in America insomnia has become an epidemic. Over 60 million Americans are insomniac. Depression is a major contributor to the high levels of insomnia. A lot of money is being lost due to absenteeism and low productivity. You may believe in the notion that time is money and that could be the reason why you choose to stay up late working. This is a wrong mentality and what you should realize is that getting the right amount of sleep ensures that you stay alert during the day. This increases your productivity as with an alert mind you are able to make better decisions and be creative at what you do.

Effects of sleep deprivation.  

Lack of sleep causes fatigue. Feeling tired decreases your alertness and it results to poor coordination. Over 40 percent of all accidents that occur on the road are due to poor concentration which can be attributed to lack of sleep. Individuals who do not get enough sleep are irritable, moody and petty. Research shows that there is a very strong correlation between sleep and depression. Individuals who lack sleep often result to abuse of drugs and alcohol in an effort to get sleep. Abuse of drugs does not only harm your body but it reduces efficiency. 

How does lack of sleep cause depression? 

Are you wondering how insomnia leads to depression? Here’s how. When you deprive yourself of sleep you become anxious and stressed out. Anxiety causes an adrenaline rush, which may appear harmless especially during the day; however, at night it becomes very hard for you to sleep if you are anxious. For you to get enough sleep your heart, mind and body have to be in tandem. The lack of sleep results to substance abuse and in turn causes depression. This indeed shows there are no lasting shortcuts to staying alert your body needs sleep for better metabolism.  

Risks associated with sleep deprivation. 

It is shocking that six out of every ten people suffer from insomnia. Most cases of insomnia are self inflicted where individuals deprive themselves of sleep by opting to work for long hours or stay up late. Lack of sleep is a serious health hazard. It can trigger conditions like heart diseases and even diabetes. Obesity is also an after effect of lack of sleep. People who lack sleep during the night tend to snack and intake of junk foods cause obesity.

Treatment of sleep deprivation.

The first step before embarking on any treatment is diagnosis. For correct diagnosis to be done the physician will need to know how frequent your lack of sleep is. This will help him to administer correct treatment. Its best to use natural methods to treat insomnia as intake of sleeping pills can cause addiction by increasing dependency on the drugs.