Sleep Deprivation Symptoms
All of us have difficulty getting to sleep at some point in our lives. While an occasional period of sleep disruption or insomnia may not be cause for concern, if you are continually experiencing the sleep deprivation symptoms below, you could have insomnia or another type of sleep disorder. Some of the most common symptoms and signs of sleep deprivation include:
Daytime drowsiness
If you can't sleep well at night, your body will be extremely tired the next day. While extreme daytime drowsiness could be a sign of narcolepsy, it can also be a sign of insomnia.
Irritability
Anger and irritability are common sleep deprivation symptoms. Little things that wouldn't annoy you before, make you angry now. You may snap at people, which can put a strain on your interpersonal relationships.
Feeling tired after sleep
Upon awakening many people feel a little groggy, but feel refreshed nevertheless. If you are sleep deprived you will not feel rested. You will be drained of energy and still feel like you need a good night's sleep.
Stress, anxiety and depression
While stress, anxiety and depression can cause insomnia, they can also be symptoms of it. Without enough sleep, it is easy to feel frustrated and overly stressed and anxious. This can be a result of just not feeling well and also because since you are very tired during the day, you are too sleepy to fulfill your work or family responsibilities. The feelings can be overwhelming and can eventually lead to depression.
Memory and concentration problems
Sleep helps maintain daytime alertness. Lack of sleep can impair your cognitive ability and your memory. Your reaction time slows down and you may have trouble focusing. You may feel like you are in a fog.
Appetite changes
One often overlooked symptom of sleep deprivation is appetite change. You may not feel hungry at all, or you may feel very hungry at odd times. The appetite changes may eventually impact your weight.
Driver fatigue
Driver fatigue is a very serious sleep deprivation symptom. In fact according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities were a result of driving while drowsy.
Even if you are sleeping through the night, you could be experiencing sleep deprivation symptoms. Quality of sleep is just as important as quantity of sleep: some insomnia disrupts deep sleep, leaving people tired even though they have no difficulty falling asleep.
As you can see from the list above, sleep deprivation symptoms can manifest themselves in people both physically and mentally. If you or someone you love is experiencing some of the symptoms of sleep deprivation, see a physician or sleep specialist for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease.
