The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Psychological and Cognitive Consequences

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is increasingly recognized as a major public health issue impacting mental health. This review investigates its effects on depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive impairments, and psychiatric disorders. A review of literature from PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO covered studies from 2000 to 2023, including only peer-reviewed research involving humans relevant to psychological outcomes. The results reveal a strong connection between chronic sleep deprivation and heightened risks of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive decline. Research shows that sleep loss affects critical brain areas, increasing emotional reactivity and impairing decision-making. Vulnerable groups, such as adolescents, college students, healthcare workers, and shift workers, were particularly affected. REM sleep disruptions may also signal early neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Given these links, it is crucial to promote public health initiatives, policy changes, and clinical strategies like cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). The review calls for increased awareness regarding sleep health and targeted interventions to alleviate the psychological impacts of insufficient sleep. Future studies should focus on long-term effects and the efficacy of sleep interventions.