The brain is a highly complex organ with multiple functions, including storing memories, constant thinking, and controlling other organs' functions. In a new study, researchers find a link between unwanted thoughts and sleep deprivation.
Sleeping problems and the lack of sleep has been associated with various issues such as mood, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's, and may cause dandruff. Researchers from the University of York reveal how sleep deprivation affects the ability to suppress unwanted thoughts. The study was recently published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science.
Thoughts enter our minds from anywhere to nowhere and are always influenced by what we see, hear, feel, believe, or the circumstance we are in. Our thinking may also be affected according to individual personality types or by physical and mental conditions.
According to the authors, "unwanted memories often enter conscious awareness when individuals confront reminders." As a response, people have various ways of suppressing unwanted thoughts.
Sleep Deprivation Affecting Memories
The researchers looked into what factors affect the ability to suppress such memories, such as quality of sleep. The results can help people with psychiatric conditions associated with unwanted thoughts ranging from anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
60 healthy, adult participants were first taught to associate faces with photographs of negative scenes such as a war zone or neutral scenes such as an urban setting. During the study, participants either had a good night's sleep or were sleep-deprived.
The next morning, they viewed the photographs again and were asked to suppress thoughts related to the scene each face was associated with. The sleep-deprived participants struggled to keep away emotionally negative thoughts related to the photos.
Those who lacked sleep had about a 50% increase in unwanted thoughts than those who had proper sleep. On the other hand, those with good sleep not only suppressed emotionally negative thoughts but also viewed the negative scenes positively.
Dealing With Memories in Everyday Life
Dr. Marcus Harrington said explained how mundane encounters on ordinary days could bring back unpleasant memories, such as a fast car reminding someone of a car accident that occurred years ago. "For most people, thought intrusions pass quickly, but for those suffering from psychiatric conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, they can be repetitive, uncontrollable, and distressing."
People have dramatically different abilities to keep unwanted memories out of their minds, Dr. Harrington continued. Their study results suggest that sleep deprivation has a significant impact on the ability to suppress such thoughts.
Dr. Scott Cairney said that the study gives significant insights into how sleep impacts mental health. Aside from depression and PTSD, their research may better understand how other disorders are linked to sleep disturbances, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Moreover, intrusive thoughts and emotional disturbances caused by poor sleep may result in a vicious cycle, said Dr. Cairney. "Upsetting intrusions and emotional distress exacerbate sleep problems, inhibiting the sleep needed to support recovery."
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