Youngsters ''need sleep to improve mental health''
01/09/2010
Sleep-deprived youngsters could find themselves at risk of having mental health difficulties later in life, Australian researchers have identified.
Led by Professor Nick Glozier, a psychology professor at the University of Sydney, the study found that people who sleep for fewer than five hours a night are three times more likely to suffer problems.
Those who rest for between eight and nine hours, on the other hand, are less at risk of developing mental issues in later life.
''What we are seeing is young adults who tend to start off with anxiety and body clock problems, move on to problems like bipolar or major depression," Professor Glozier commented.
He said that people need to be aware of both sleep disturbance and insomnia from an early age.
An article in the Daily Reflector recently emphasised the importance of children sleeping properly, as it helps make them pay attention better at school.
Posted by Michael Ewing
