The Negative Effects of sleep deprivation on adolescents

Sleep deprivation is a condition that occurs when a person doesn’t get enough sleep.
Adolescents or teens are at an important stage of their growth and development. Thus, they
need more sleep than adults. A study conducted suggests that a teenager needs between 8
to 10 hours of sleep per night. Yet most adolescents only get about 6.5 to 7.5 hours per
night, and some get less. Sleep deprivation in an adolescent life can lead to a dramatic
effect, impacting their mental wellbeing, increasing their risk of depression, anxiety and
obesity. It can also affect academic performance at school.

Poor sleep duration impact adolescents’ mood. A chronic lack of sleep can contribute to
depression and can even be a sign of increased suicide risk. A continuous sleep disturbance
create uncontrollable mental and physical impulses. There are other direct biochemical
effects of sleep deprivation involving the irregular distribution of mood-stabilizing
neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

In addition, sleep deprivation suggests a higher risk for obesity and poor metabolic
regulation. The regulation of hormones and enzymes that help process fat and sugar like
lipase, are somewhat linked to the optimal timing of the sleep period. The more amount of
sleep a person gets, the more enzymes they can produce.

It is no doubtful that sleep deprivation doesn’t have any negative effects on adolescents.
This includes shortened attention span, memory impairment, lack of enthusiasm,
aggression, depression, concentration difficulties, and mentally drifting off in class, thus
reducing academic performances at school.