By: Erica Johnson
Posted In: News
Dr. Richard Millman is a Professor of Medicine at Brown Medical School and the Director of the Sleep Disorders Center of Lifespan Hospitals. He has been practicing sleep medicine and conducting clinical sleep research since 1981. In an email interview, Millman commented on the new German study about the relationship between sleep and creativity. The Associated Press reported that the study is considered as hard evidence to support the idea that creativity and problem solving are linked to proper sleeping habits. Dr. Millman believes a well rested person can perform more intelligently and creatively than a person who is sleep deprieved.
What are the characteristics of sleep deprivation and when does it
become a disorder?
Sleep deprivation leads to episodes of excessive sleepiness, such as
falling asleep in class or driving. The age range of 16-24 has an extremely
high incidence of motor vehicle accidents from falling asleep at the wheel.
Young men classically fall asleep driving by themselves at 2-3 a.m. Sleep deprivation can also cause problems with performance including problems with memory, attention and concentration, and the ability to think clearly. If someone is sleep deprived they can become irritable, moody, and even depressed and anxious. Whenever you get less sleep then you should you create what is known as a sleep debt. Whereas a single night of not getting enough sleep may make you tired, several nights of not enough sleep makes the sleep debt so big that performance can easily be impaired. That is when it becomes a disorder.
What is the most common sleep disorder and treatment for young adults?
The most common disorder is, as you can imagine, sleep deprivation and
unfortunately the only treatment is to get more sleep. This is a major
issue starting back in high school with early school bus pickups and the
vast majority of students you know are probably at one time or another sleep
deprived. We also treat for obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which the throat
repetitively closes off in the middle of the night. Contributing factors in
the 16-24 year old range include enlarged tonsils and adenoids narrowing the
throat (which can be surgically removed) or obesity. Another problem is
insomnia that may occur in the beginning or middle of the night. With an
aggressive behavioral treatment someone with insomnia may be retrained how
to sleep. One may also suffer from delayed phase syndrome in which you
cannot fall asleep until 3 AM and then it is impossible to wake up until
noon. This may respond to behavioral intervention, evening melatonin, or
staring at bright lights first thing in the morning.
How many hours of sleep should young adults be getting?
16-24 year olds should be getting 9-10 hours of sleep each night. You do not hit your adult sleep need until approximately age 25.
In your experience, how many students get adequate amounts of sleep?
Most adolescents and young adults do not get enough sleep whereas
younger children are forced by their parents to go to bed earlier and sleep later if possible.
What time of day are students at their best mental performance?
You would think they would be in the best shape when they first get
out of bed but in reality they are still very sleepy. Studies have shown
that high school students are still sleeping when they are in class in the
morning. Perhaps students are most awake if they have just woken up from a power nap.
How can schools and teachers accomodate a sleep deprived student?
A very tough question and an even tougher one to answer. For high school students a community and school system could decide to start classes later rather then moving school start times earlier and earlier. However, this obviously has an impact on after school sports, music and after school jobs.
Do you think a well rested person could be more intelligent and
creative than one who is sleep deprived?
Absolutely
