The Effects of Insomnia

Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both. It can be caused by excessive stress, drug use, hormone shifts, irrational fears, other overlying medical conditions. The effects of insomnia can be severe, causing irrational mood shifts or even death. However, insomnia that is treated quickly will usually cause only minor issues. Treatment from a physician or natural remedies for insomnia may be effective, depending on the severity of the condition. Always consult a doctor if symtpoms persist for longer than a few days.

Mental:

Side effects of insomnia affect the mind and can seriously inhibit basic functions. Sleep loss directly effects the brain's ability to process information, reducing both concentration and the ability to learn. The lack of sleep makes it more difficult to recognize patterns and to perform repetitious actions such as typing or even speaking. Insomnia can also cause short or long term memory loss.

Emotional:

The effects of insomnia are even more dangerous on an emotional level. About 20% of people diagnosed with insomnia also have depression and increased levels of stress. Other mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and dysthymia, are also more common in a patient that has previously been diagnosed with insomnia.

Another common effect of insomnia is a loss of self-esteem. It is a common myth that lack of sleep results in a less appealing physical appearance. Most insomniacs look the same after extended periods without sleep as they do before they were afflicted with insomnia. The lack of self-esteem is the real effect, and can result in further depression and dramatic changes in behavior.

Physical:

The physical effects of chronic insomnia include increased activity of the heart and nervous system, which raises the chance of heart disease. Heart disease is a life threatening illness that can also cause hopelessness, which is both a cause and effect of insomnia. Another of the effects of insomnia is a loss of dexterity. Many insomniacs are unable to perform simple tasks and may even develop tremors in severe cases.