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What are the long-term effects of chronic sleep deprivation on mental health?

Cailyn Lewisham

Well, as someone who has struggled with sleeping for many years, this is a topic that hits really close to home. Chronic sleep deprivation, which is basically when you consistently don't get enough sleep, can have some seriously negative effects on your mental health in the long-term.

For starters, it can lead to depression and anxiety. When you don't get enough sleep, your brain doesn't have the opportunity to properly process all the emotions and thoughts from the day before. This can lead to an imbalance in your brain chemicals, which can then cause you to feel very low and anxious. I know that I personally feel so much worse mentally when I haven't slept much the night before.

On top of that, chronic sleep deprivation can also impact your ability to focus and remember things. Your brain needs sleep in order to consolidate memories and form new neural connections, so if you're not giving it enough rest, you're essentially hindering its ability to do so. I've definitely noticed that I'm more forgetful and foggy when I don't get enough sleep.

Sleep deprivation can also lead to irritability and mood swings. When you're running on empty, your emotional reserves are depleted, which can make it harder for you to regulate your emotions. I know that I tend to get really snappy and short with people when I'm tired, which isn't ideal for anyone involved.

Finally, there's also evidence to suggest that chronic sleep deprivation can have more serious long-term consequences, such as an increased risk of developing cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease. While not everyone who struggles with sleep will necessarily develop these conditions, it's definitely concerning enough to ensure that we're all striving to get enough rest each night.

All in all, there's no denying that sleep plays a massive role in our mental health. If you're struggling with sleep issues, it's definitely worth speaking to a trusted health professional about it to see what steps you can take to improve your sleep habits. Trust me when I say that it's not worth sacrificing your mental health for a few extra hours of being awake.