Sleep deprivation or a lack of appropriate sleep can activate genes that are depression-related. Research has shown that individuals who slept for only about five hours a night suffered genetically influenced depression symptoms by 53 percent. The ratio was 49 percent for those individuals who slept for up to 10 hours, while those who slept between seven to nine hours of normal sleep each night only had a 27 percent genetic influence on symptoms of depression.
It seems that sleep patterns that are excessively long or really short are factors that may activate genes that are related to depression symptoms. By ensuring that patients with symptoms of depression are overcoming sleeping disorders and not suffering from lack of sleep, the effectiveness of depression treatments will be increased.
Studies revealed that anyone who slept for six hours or less each night increased their risk for a major depressive disorder and the risk of sleep deprivation. Because this research study was done on adolescents, it reveals that a lack of sleep may be an underlying source of major clinical depression and some mood disorders related to the adolescent period.
The lack of sleep or sleep disturbance should be researched and recorded as part of adolescent medical history, especially as risk factors. In order to maintain a person’s physical, emotional and mental well being, it is essential that healthy sleep patterns are restored. Prioritizing necessary, normal sleep patterns are a vital investment in our overall health.
Teenager’s lack of sleep may be the reason for many instances of Teen depression. Eleven percent of teenagers develop depression by the age of 18 and this may be due to sleep deprivation. Teenagers who do not get enough sleep are up to four times more likely to develop a major depressive disorder. Parents need to carefully monitor the amount of sleep their children are getting. Children should be sleeping in a dark room without TV, games or phones. Most adolescents are not getting the appropriate amount of sleep required.
Mental health problems in teenagers are associated with excessive use of media and mental health problems, including clinical depression and manic depression. Teens who have solid friendships and feel supported at home and school sleep better. Teens who spent a lot of time on the internet also showed symptoms of depression. Early school start times are also an issue and parents are currently petitioning to change.
IMAGE CREDIT: Morguefile – Sleep
