Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is a state of rest in which an individual's eyes are closed and their mind and body are inactive. However, some people experience fitful sleep, which is characterized by erratic and intermittent periods of rest. Fitful sleep is often a result of insomnia, and those who experience it tend to have depressed moods. Research has shown that people who experience interrupted sleep tend to have lower levels of positive emotions and higher levels of negative moods in the morning. This is because interruptions in sleep prevent people from reaching the restorative phase of sleep, which is essential for positive moods and energy levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manner | Irregular, inconsistent, unsteady |
| Occurrence | Intermittent, erratic |
| Sleep | Low levels of positive emotions, high levels of negative mood |
| Brain activity | Less time spent in deep, slow-wave sleep |
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What You'll Learn
Fitful sleep is worse than no sleep
Fitful sleep is characterised by erratic and intermittent periods of rest. It is often used to describe sleep that is interrupted or inconsistent. Fitful sleep is worse than no sleep at all, as those who experience it tend to miss out on the restorative phase of sleep, which is crucial for maintaining a positive mood and energy levels.
People who suffer from insomnia often experience fitful sleep, and they also tend to have depressed moods. While the exact reason for this link is unknown, researchers have found that those who are frequently woken up throughout the night have lower levels of positive emotions and higher levels of negative moods in the morning. This is because they spend less time in deep, slow-wave sleep, which is essential for restoration.
In addition to affecting mood and energy levels, fitful sleep can also impact an individual's disposition. Those who are frequently awoken throughout the night may feel less friendly and sympathetic, as their sleep is interrupted and they do not reach the deep, restorative phase of sleep. This can be particularly challenging for people with chronic sleep disorders, who may repeatedly fail to achieve deep sleep.
The negative consequences of fitful sleep are not limited to the individual but can also extend to their daily lives and interactions with others. For example, parents of newborns often experience interrupted sleep, which can affect their mood and energy levels during the day. Similarly, people in certain professions, such as hospital doctors, may also be familiar with the challenges of fitful sleep due to their irregular work hours.
Overall, fitful sleep can have detrimental effects on various aspects of an individual's life. It can impact their mood, energy levels, disposition, and ability to connect with others. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise achieving consistent and uninterrupted sleep to ensure we obtain the necessary restorative benefits of slow-wave sleep.
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Insomnia and depression
Insomnia is often linked to depression, with about three-quarters of depressed patients experiencing insomnia symptoms. This link goes both ways, as people with insomnia may have a tenfold higher risk of developing depression. Sleep interruptions can interfere with deep, restorative slow-wave sleep, weakening emotional resilience and making it harder to deal with stress and challenges. This can increase the risk of developing depression over time.
In a Johns Hopkins study, healthy individuals who experienced interrupted sleep throughout the night reported a 31% reduction in positive moods the following day. This highlights how disrupted sleep can negatively impact mood and emotional well-being, creating a vulnerability to depression.
The relationship between insomnia and depression is complex. Insomnia may be a separate condition or a symptom of depression. It is important to distinguish between the two when seeking treatment. While treatments for depression can improve mood and outlook, they may not be sufficient to address sleep problems. On the other hand, resolving sleep issues through treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can improve sleep and potentially increase the chances of remission from depression.
The presence of insomnia in individuals with depression can significantly impact their quality of life. It can lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Additionally, insomnia can cause daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, and increased vulnerability to stress and negative emotions.
It is crucial to recognize the connection between insomnia and depression to facilitate early intervention and effective treatment. By addressing insomnia alongside depression, individuals can improve their overall well-being and reduce the risk of relapse associated with lingering sleep problems during depression treatment.
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Interrupted sleep
People with insomnia often suffer from fitful sleep. They tend to have depressed moods, and researchers have found a link between insomnia and depression. Finan and colleagues from Live Science conducted a study where 62 men and women were monitored in a sleep laboratory over three nights. Half of the participants were woken up eight times over the course of the nights, while the other half went to bed late but were allowed to sleep uninterrupted. After the first night, both groups reported feeling unwell. However, on the second and third nights, those who were awoken multiple times reported even lower levels of positive emotions than those who were sleep-deprived.
The researchers found that those who were frequently interrupted during sleep spent less time in deep, slow-wave sleep. This shortage of slow-wave sleep was associated with lower levels of positive emotions and higher levels of negative moods. Those who were awoken frequently also reported feeling less energetic and less friendly.
Fitful sleep can be caused by various factors, such as consuming too much rich food, drinking coffee late in the evening, or experiencing anxious thoughts. It is also common for parents of newborns to experience interrupted sleep due to frequent wakings throughout the night. Certain jobs, such as hospital doctors, may also require irregular working hours, resulting in disrupted sleep patterns.
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Irregular sleep
Fitful sleep, or irregular sleep, is characterised by erratic and intermittent periods of rest. This means that a person might fall asleep, only to wake up several times throughout the night, before falling back to sleep. This pattern of sleep is often caused by factors such as anxiety, caffeine consumption, or an uncomfortable environment.
People who experience irregular sleep often have depressed moods, and researchers have found a link between insomnia and depression. A study conducted by Finan and colleagues found that participants who were woken up multiple times a night had lower levels of positive emotions and higher levels of negative moods in the morning than those who were simply sleep-deprived. This is because interruptions in sleep prevent people from reaching the restorative phase of deep, slow-wave sleep.
Those who experience irregular sleep may find themselves in a vicious cycle, as the lack of slow-wave sleep can lead to increased negative moods, which in turn can make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. This can result in a continuous pattern of disrupted sleep, which can have a significant impact on a person's overall well-being.
Additionally, irregular sleep can be a particular issue for parents of newborns, people in certain professions (such as hospital doctors), and those with insomnia. These individuals may experience frequent interruptions to their sleep, which can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and further negative consequences.
The effects of irregular sleep can be detrimental, and it is important for individuals to address any sleep issues they may be experiencing. This may involve improving sleep hygiene, making lifestyle changes, or seeking professional help to improve sleep quality and consistency.
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Erratic sleep
A study conducted by Finan and colleagues found that people who were frequently woken up during the night had lower levels of positive emotions and higher levels of negative moods in the morning. They also experienced lower levels of energy and empathy. This is because their brain waves showed a shortage of deep, slow-wave sleep, which is the restorative phase of sleep.
People with newborns, as well as those in certain professions, such as hospital doctors, often experience erratic sleep due to being woken up multiple times a night.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping fitfully means sleeping in an erratic or intermittent manner, often waking up multiple times throughout the night.
There are many causes of fitful sleep, including drinking coffee late in the day, consuming rich food, and insomnia.
People who sleep fitfully tend to experience lower levels of positive emotions and higher levels of negative moods. They also tend to feel less energetic, friendly, and sympathetic.
While the two conditions may overlap, they are not the same. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, while sleeping fitfully refers to the erratic or intermittent nature of sleep.
