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Mental Health
By: Jack Stout
What is sleep?
To understand more about the effects that sleep has on the
brain, we must first understand what sleep is.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines sleep as the
natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which
the powers of the body are restored. Sleep occurs as part
of the 24 our rhythm that our bodies fall into naturally. This
rhythm, also known as the circadian rhythm, is part of our
natural schedule because it allows our body to achieve
everything it needs to in order to function properly. Other
parts of the Circadian Rhythm are: The bodys chemical
production, blood pressure regulation, digestion, and
temperature regulation. (Caldwell)
Sleeping Conditions
Short-term effects from lack of sleep can seem hard
enough, but the long-term effects of lack of sleep can
be so hard on your body, they can at times even become
fatal.
Many people suffer from conditions that make it hard
for them to sleep. Some of these conditions include:
sleep apnea, delayed sleep phase disorder, jet lag (or
time zone sleep disruption), advance sleep phase
disorder, narcolepsy, 24-hour sleep/wake syndrome,
restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking, or even high
amounts of stress.
Sleeping Disorders
Bipolar disorder
High-level anxiety
Depression
Suicidal thoughts
Although it has yet to be solidly proven, there is talk
within the scientific community of Alzheimers Disease
being linked with sleep deprivation.
Reference
Caldwell, J. P. (2003). Sleep: The complete guide to sleep disorders
and a better night's sleep. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books (U.S.).
Schacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., Wegner, D. M., & Nock, M. K. (2014).
Psychology (3rd ed., 193-203). New York, NY: Worth , a Macmillan
Higher Education Company.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary. (2004). Springfield, MA: MerriamWebster.
Flynn, E. (2015). Life Without Insomnia: Identify The Root Cause And
Cure Your Insomnia Forever! Amazon Digital Services.
Colten, H. R., & Altevogt, B. M. (2006). Sleep disorders and sleep
deprivation: An unmet public health problem. Washington, DC:
Institute of Medicine.