Moody Blues Have Meaning

It doesn't take a genius to know that being tired makes us cranky, grumpy, and emotional. Not the person your spouse or co-worker wants to deal with today. Blame your foul mood on a lack of sleep first, and the brain second. At last we think we can explain why this is so. Sleep Review journal now reports a study just published in Current Biology that explains how sleep deprivation activates the place in our brains that controls mood.

It's called the amygdala--a group of neurons located deep within a lobe of the brain that helps process emotional reactions. When these nerves get excited (i.e., over-active), which is what happened when sleep-deprived people were shown "aversive" pictures in the study, sleepy people get emotional easily. Those in the study, for instance, were more prone to responding strongly (ahem: moodily) instead of just shrugging off the negative image.

Okay, so now you're wondering what this really means and why it's important to understand the real connection between drowsiness and moodiness. This relationship may help us better understand mood disorders, including bipolar disorder--especially as they relate with sleep disruption. There's still quite a big mystery shrouding mood disorders and how, for example, sleep loss can impact how we behave, act, and even make decisions. This could shed light on evaluating people in unique jobs like doctors, pilots, and the military who act hostile or who make bad decisions. Could a focus on their sleep habits help treat or change them for the better? Can we learn more about bipolar disorder, which remains a very difficult illness to address, if we throw sleep studies into the mix?

Most of us have had the pleasure of encountering someone emotionally irrational. You know the type--the one who is hyper-sensitive and easily razzed up or angered. But how many of us have thought about how well (or not) that person sleeps at night?

Something to think about.

Comments

[ottawasteph]

You've just described part of the cruel frustration for people living with depression.

Getting a good night's sleep will help, but you have insomnia. Regular exercise also facilitates recovery, but you're too tired to move. Eating healthy, regular meals has been known to alleviate symptoms, but you have no appetite, plus you're too tired to make something. You also need to get out and socialize, but don't want to be around people, plus you're too tired to go anywhere, much less get ready to leave your home. In other words, it's impossible to "walk it off."

All I know is that, with the proper combination of medication and support, you can at least get a headstart on improving those habits and decisions.

[bethinCary]

About time.
I always just go by what my body tells me todo-as far as sleep goes-don't always have a set schedule for how long I sleep. I have noticed when I sleep better and longer-I feel less likely to emotions.
I always notice when daylights savings time goes into effect-I get crankier-like many people-so I get more rest. What is it called "circadium rhythm'(?) just seems to be off at this time especially. Being outside more during the days seems to help more too.

[lisakaz]

Dang, I thought you were going to offer a deep appreciation for "Nights in White Satin."

Couldn't resist.