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It's no surprise that a lack of sleep can cause irritability and changes in mood. You may actually develop a mood disorder if you're consistently sleep deprived. Disruptions in the sleep cycle have been strongly connected to depression and a reduced quality of life. You may also feel more anxious and lose your motivation to do simple everyday tasks. Sleep deprivation may resemble depression or anxiety. Patients report poor mood, irritability, low energy, decreased libido, poor judgment, and other signs of psychological dysfunction. These symptoms usually disappear when normal sleep is restored. If you're sleep deprived, you may have trouble concentrating or paying attention. It may be harder for you to make decisions, remember things, or react. All of these can increase the number of mistakes you make and make you feel restless. No matter how hard you try, you feel fatigued throughout the day. While the purpose of sleep isn't completely understood, studies have shown that sleep energizes the brain. Most people experience an afternoon drop in energy levels, but a little caffeine or rest can help them regain alertness. If you find, however, that you feel like you're dragging throughout the entire day, you may be sleep deprived. Assess your level of fatigue after napping. Did taking naps used to refresh you and now they don't? If you feel like you're always groggy, even after resting, you be dealing with sleep deprivation. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain and obesity. This is because your body releases appetite-regulating hormones while you sleep. Sleep is also important for processing glucose faster. Sleep deprivation can disrupt this, contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. Pay attention to changes in your weight, appetite, and blood pressure. Changes may signal that your body is sleep deficient. Sleep deprivation can also raise your blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart attack. Sleep apnea has also been connected with heart disease. Lack of sleep may contribute to the development of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. Consider if you gained weight since the start of the period you've been getting poor sleep. If so, your body may be reacting to sleep loss. If you find yourself frequently canceling plans with friends or family because you're too tired, you may be sleep deprived. While passing on a party isn't unusual, if you find yourself constantly avoiding social events this consequence of sleep deprivation can lead to a poor quality of life. Sleep deprivation and anxiety are closely connected, causing tension in family and social relationships. Your work life may also suffer since sleep deprivation can increase your risk of injury on the job, especially if it requires driving. For example, did you used to enjoy seeing friends and going to events? If you now dread the thought of leaving your house, or it just seems like too much work, you may be sleep deprived. Track important sleep information so that if you need to see a doctor, you can give details about your symptoms. Keep a log of when you sleep, how long of a stretch you slept, the quality of sleep, and whether or not you had trouble falling or staying asleep. You should also note how you felt throughout the day, including your energy level. Note whether your sleep seems to be impacted by outside factors, such as your diet or exercise routine.
Notice changes in your behavior. Consider your energy levels throughout the day. Look for changes in your health. Consider your social life. Keep a sleep log.