16 of 31

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

without this maintenance? Well, if you don't maintain your car what happens? Right, it begins to have serious mechanical problems or even breaks down. Your body is no different.

Additionally, we see the gambit of mental carnage and damage. If we are awake too long our neurons will begin to malfunction and begin to affect our behavior. You need certain stages of sleep in order for those neurons to function properly.

The REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage is very important and makes up about 20 - 25% of our sleep night. Research has found this stage of sleep important because it stimulates our learning and memory. Yes, the clinical depression, added stress, psychosis, hallucinations, loss of concentration, clear thinking, and irritability can be linked to sleep deprivation because our brain hasn't had time to heal overnight after night.

If you still don't think lack of sufficient sleep affects the brain, consider this. A study published in the British journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine found people who sleep less than six hours a night and then drove a vehicle performed worse than people with a blood alcohol level of .05. That is the legal limit for intoxication in Europe. The range in the USA is between .01 and .08.

I personally can tell you from experience sleep deprivation wrecks havoc on your body. Several years ago I began to have the onset of several autoimmune disorders in addition to Fibromyalgia. There have been times I have gone at least three or four days straight without sleep. There are times when I get only fitful sleep. Many times I have what I call "Fibro Fog". It's like I have to think my way through a fog. Depression has been an unwelcome companion along with anxiety, panic attacks, low self esteem and confidence. The mind and emotions will and can play tricks on you during these times. It can have lasting side effects. It takes weeks to begin to feel half way normal.

When I think about it, I think ol' Ben Franklin was right when he wrote in Poor Richard's Almanac: "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

Sources:
http://archives. cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/09/20/slee p.deprivation/
http://www.sleep net.com/depriv.htm
http://en.wi kipedia.org/wiki/REM_sleep
http ://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/ne uro/neuro01/web3/Ledoux.html
ht tp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REM _sleep

Learn more about this author, Beverly Hicks Burch.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about The connection between sleep deprivation and mental illness?
We want to hear your view. Write now!