Chronic sleep deprivation is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep more than three nights a week for several months. It can cause chronic fatigue, reduced concentration and cognitive performance, a weakened immune system, and an increased risk of some mental health problems. Common causes include stress, disruptions to the sleep cycle, and poor sleep hygiene.
Interviews with three women in Faryab show that a lack of awareness about the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation has caused them to face challenges in their daily lives.
Shakila, a 20-year-old resident of Faryab, says that due to chronic sleep deprivation, she has experienced fatigue, low energy, and general weakness. According to her, sleep deprivation has affected her daily life more than anything else.
“No matter how hard I try to sleep at night, my mind is filled with different thoughts, and I stay awake until late. Because of this, I always feel tired and have little energy during the day,” she says.
Fatima, another 25-year-old resident of Faryab, also says, “I wake up several times during the night and cannot easily fall asleep again. Because of this, I always feel weak and tired during the day.”
Maryam, a 23-year-old resident of Faryab, says she has visited doctors several times because of not getting enough sleep and having low energy during the day. She adds that even after taking medication, she has not been able to resolve her sleep problem.
“I went to a doctor and was given medicine, but I did not notice any significant change. I still do not sleep well at night. This situation has had a really negative effect on my work and daily life,” she adds.
Meanwhile, Nahid Ahmadi, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, considers psychological, environmental, and physiological factors to be among the causes of chronic sleep deprivation. She emphasizes that if the condition continues, it can increase stress and anxiety, cause hormonal changes, and weaken the immune system.
“Long-term stress, anxiety, and hormonal changes in women are among the main causes of chronic insomnia. If this condition continues, it can also affect a person’s overall health,” she says.
Hamed Seddiqi, a general internal medicine doctor, emphasizes the importance of making lifestyle changes to improve sleep. He says that maintaining a regular sleep schedule, reducing mobile phone use at night, and avoiding coffee in the late hours of the day can help improve sleep quality.
“If people maintain a regular sleep schedule and reduce their use of mobile phones at night, they can significantly improve their sleep quality in many cases,” he adds.
Adults generally need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and problems with daily activities. If it continues for a long time, sleep deprivation can affect both physical and mental health.
Reporter: Tabassum Jasoor
