Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Teens and Young Adults

A lot of people have at least once gotten little sleep during the week, and then tried to catch up on their sleep throughout the weekend. Studies show that when one tries to catch up on sleep throughout the weekend, it affects their attentiveness on Monday morning, and their ability to attain a regular sleep pattern, which is overall bad for their health (Telljohann 7). Sleep deprivation may also lead to more dangerous behavior, such as using sleeping pills at night. In a recent poll, 6% of teenagers admitted to using sleeping pills before going to bed after a long day. 5.7% of students said that if they are having trouble falling asleep, they will have a cigarette to calm themselves before bed. Also, 2.9% of adolescents will drink alcohol before going to bed to ensure that they sleep well (Telljohann 1). What if parents found out their teen was engaging in this dangerous behavior? Sleep is a necessity to everyone, and some teens are finding that they can’t always get the amount they need.

Commonly known as Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) and other names, is a disorder in which the persons internal body clock is not in sync with the morning-rise evening-sleep pattern of the majority of people. Individuals with this disorder are not able to sleep and wake at the times that are regulated by normal work and school hours. They usually get enough sleep to keep them at a functional level through the day but not enough to be considered “well rested”. Polysomnography and actigraphy are tests commonly ordered for some sleep disorders to determine the illness. The cause of Delayed Sleep Phase can include a variety of reasons; puberty being one of the main causes, but some people are born with the disorder. The short term and long term effects of this illness is unfortunate for a person’s overall health. Overall cures to this disorder have not been found yet. Doctors have suggested sleeping pills to help or other alternatives. The disorder affects the timing of sleep, peak period of alertness, the core body temperature rhythm, hormonal and other daily cycles.

This scholarly journal article deliberates the necessity of sleep and the phenomenon that adolescent children are suffering from a lack of sleep. The loss of sleep can negatively af-fect a teenager’s academic performance, driving capabilities, cognitive abilities and more. Bryant and Gomez provide recommendations for combating the sleep deficiency with teens, which includes their caffeine intake, establishing specific bedtimes, and the use of technology. The authors reference several other articles done specifically on the use of electronic devices and their effects on a person’s ability to sleep.

Imagine: a world where a biological necessity is not seen as a priority, and adolescent’s educations are suffering. This is how schools’ think about sleep.What all human beings need to survive is being put on the back burner by most schools in America- sleep(11a). It has been proven through the process of scientific research that sleep is necessary on the same level as food or activity. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is a chronic health problem that many youths suffer from today. Teens are naturally predisposed to go to sleep around 11 pm, but are forced to wake up around 6:15, not allowing any time for adequate sleep (“Backgrounder: Later school start Times” 1). Irregular sleep patterns during teenage years can cause long-term

Many of our nations teens currently suffer from chronic sleep deprivation, and often receive less than eight hours of sleep each night. Under these conditions, teens experience physical and mental limitations such as weakened immune systems, confusion, and constant daytime tiredness. All of this adds up and creates low and inadequate daily functioning. In addition,

Many adults say that sleep is crucial to a human during its adolescent years. It is a proven fact that teens need an average of 8.5 to 9.5 hours a sleep each night, yet two-thirds of high school students are receiving fewer than seven hours of sleep (Howard, “Wake up Calls”). Some might ask, “Why aren’t teens getting the required amount of sleep they need?” This is because adults frequently advise teens to be involved in school activities, receive good grades, turn homework in on time, and maintain a healthy social life. Now, teens do what is advised by adults by taking Advanced Placement classes, playing sports, participating in extracurricular activities, and even getting after school jobs; but they still fall short on getting the required amount of sleep at night. The daily cycle of a teen involved in many school activities consists of not getting home until 7:00 P.M., eating dinner, doing loads of homework, using social media, going to sleep at 11:00 P.M. or later, then waking up the next morning at 6:00 A.M. to get ready for school. As you can see, an involved teen is only getting seven or fewer hours of sleep at night. Since getting an inadequate amount of sleep each night

At this point, a lot of children do not get a healthy amount of sleep each night because school starts way too early. “Teens bodies’ inner clocks make it hard for them

Sleep deprivation is a serious concern among college students, who are "among the most sleep-deprived age group in the United States," (Central Michigan University, 2008). It is important to study the causes of sleep deprivation, or sleep disorders, among college students. According to Park (2009), "dozens of studies have linked an increase in nightly sleep to better cognition and alertness." A study by Central Michigan University (2008) found that sleep deprivation can lead to poor academic performance, impaired driving, depression, and behavioral problems. There are several variables that may affect sleeping patterns among college students. One is genetics or biological issues. It is highly

Teenagers are notorious for staying up late. And late nights coupled with early-morning high school start times means kids are losing a great deal of valuable sleep. Sleep experts now know that teenagers need, in fact, more sleep than adults and children. Sleep studies have found, and Dr. Maas concludes that “adolescents need a minimum of 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep each night to be fully alert during the day” (Crombie 2). Statistics show, however, that few young people even come close to getting their required amount of sleep, with only 15 percent sleeping 8 ½ hours or more during the week (Finger 2). The majority of America’s teenagers, according to a study released by Stanford University, get a scant 6 ½ hours of sleep on school nights (“Adolescent Sleep” 2). With such inadequate sleep, it is no wonder that teenagers slump through the school day; they are legitimately and desperately sleep deprived. The blame for teens’ sleep deprivation, however, often falls on their own weary

health.lacking sleep is a cause of depression, obesity ,and makes it hard to function in

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder can potentially be very harming to a person’s physical, mental, and social health. With DSPS causing a person to either get no sleep and go to work/school/etc. , arrive late with inadequate sleep, or skip the event. This can lead to poor performance, daytime sleepiness, and possibly loss of job or failure to maintain grades in school. In addition to this outcome, being sleep deprived is very bad for health considering it is when our body repairs itself, so if we are not getting adequate sleep our body and mind deteriorate. According to circadiansleepdisorders.org 1 in 1000 adults suffer from DSPS, the number being higher with adolescents (1). The unhealthiness of this disorder comes from the individual becoming sleep deprived because they have obligations and cannot sleep in until later in the day. Even though it is unlikely the disorder can be managed and coped without trying to change the circadian rhythm with no ill effects to

Delayed sleep phased syndrome (DSPS) is a disorder in which a person’s sleep is delayed by 2 or more hours greater than the socially acceptable or conventional bedtime. This article proves that this delay in falling asleep causes difficulty in waking up at the desired time. DSPS is a disorder that is linked to the Circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is a day and night cycle that helps to compel humans to remain awake during the day and sleep during the night. The article contained helpful tips for ameliorating a teenager’s sleep cycle back to normal. This piece of advice included getting up at the same time in the morning, avoid the computer and reduce bright light exposure 2 hours before bed, develop a bed time routine repeating the same

Research indicates that America’s sleep problems have increased and might be the number one health problem. The average amount of sleep that people get per night can range anywhere from three to twelve hours. According to Dr. David Dinges at the University of Pennsylvania, it is a fact that people who get fewer than six hours of sleep a night do not live as long as people who get seven hours or more. Most people do not realize the importance of sleep or even realize that it is needed to survive. Many people experience sleep deprivation; however it is commonly seen in college students. Irregular sleeping patterns tend to occur in students, which can later lead to long-term effects.

It is estimated that only 15 percent actually get these amounts (Kids Suffer from Sleep Deprivation). This is particularly important for students who wish to do well in school. Dr. Carl Hunt, the director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, is spearheading a sleep campaign. Her philosophy is, “Sleep well, do well.” This is something that shouldn’t be taken to lightly. Sleep problems effect about 70 million Americans of all ages. Teens often have problems with daytime sleepiness. The old idea of early to bed, early to rise isn’t necessarily the best answer. Society is simply asking to much of teens (Sleep experts to teens). A combination of school, work, study and leisure, leaves very little time left for sleep. Being deprived of sleep definitely has an effect on how well students do in school and may be putting their health at risk. College students who stay up all night to study for a test or write a big paper that’s due often have no choice because of the pressures to do well and succeed, but at what price do they pay?

Experts suggest that teenagers should at least have between 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, as this will help function their body and brain at a normal pace . Whilst adults can function properly with a minimum of 7 hours of sleep, on the other hand teenagers on average need about 8 hours of sleep to function best the next day. Based on a recent survey, it was found that an alarming rate of 75% of the participants sleep, on an average of 4 to 6 hours regular on a school night. On the other hand only 0.01% of the participants get the suggested hours of sleep on an average school night. Another finding from the survey participants stated, that some of the other factors that diminish the quality and quantity of sleep are that most participants stated that studying late at night is one of the main factors that effect their sleep. Whereas, involvement in extra co curricular activities least factors that effects the participants sleep. It is important that teenagers get the suggested amount of sleep, as this will allow for the mind and body to recharge and function promptly. Therefore, as experts suggests that to get consistent sleep, teenagers must avoid caffeine 4 hours prior to bed, and don’t eat or drink 2 hours before bedtime. Do not perform any physical exercise or other stimulating activities at least an hour before going to bed. Do not have excessive homework during the hour of your bedtime and leave your electronics devices outside your bedroom, as you will not be provoked to use