Poor Sleep During Childhood Can Lead To An Increased Risk Of Psychosis As An Adult

Poor sleep during childhood doesn’t just affect behavior throughout the day and contribute to learning problems—it may also lead to an increased risk of psychosis in adulthood, per a study published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham in the U.K. and the University of Melbourne in Australia have determined that children who consistently slept fewer hours were more than twice as likely to develop a psychotic disorder upon reaching early adulthood. The link is partly explained by changes in inflammation.
Dr. Isabel Morales-Muñoz, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Birmingham and the lead author of the study, said that it’s normal for kids to struggle with sleep from time to time, but when it becomes a chronic issue, they are more likely to develop psychiatric illnesses as adults.
The research team examined data from 12,394 children, who ranged in age from six months to seven years, and 3,889 adults aged 24.
They found that children who regularly slept fewer hours between six months and seven years were twice as likely to develop a psychotic disorder by the time they were 24. In addition, they were almost four times as likely to experience a psychotic episode.
The three main symptoms that are usually associated with a psychotic episode are hallucinations, delusions, and confused/disturbed thoughts.
Sometimes, these can be symptoms of conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.
The reasoning behind the link between insufficient sleep in childhood and psychosis in adulthood is currently unclear.
Poor sleep is known to negatively impact the immune system, so that may play a part. The team tested levels of inflammation in blood samples in nine-year-olds. Results showed that a weakened immune system could be partially responsible.

Gorodenkoff – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
Impairments in brain development caused by factors such as underlying mental health issues, trauma, substance abuse, genetics, and environment may also have a role in the development of psychosis.
Getting adequate sleep is critical for infants and young children, as it will help support their mental health in the future.
Luckily, sleep patterns are something that can be improved, and parents have the power to address them.
By prioritizing healthy sleep habits in early childhood, it is possible to ward off serious mental health conditions.
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