How is Sleep Deprivation Defined?

Inadequate sleep, or sleep deprivation, poses numerous health risks. Regularly obtaining less than 7 hours of sleep is associated with adverse health consequences, including increased mortality, cerebrovascular and cardiac disease, obesity, diabetes, and neurologic manifestations. 

This article focuses on the latter. 

Several terms are used to describe the clinical condition of inadequate sleep as a medical diagnosis, including “behaviorally induced insufficient sleep syndrome”, “insufficient nocturnal sleep”, “chronic sleep deprivation”, and “sleep restriction.”

According to the “International Classification of Sleep Disorders,” the diagnosis of sleep deprivation or “Insufficient Sleep Syndrome” can be made if the following criteria are met:

1. Daily periods of irrepressible need to sleep or daytime lapses into drowsiness or sleep or, in the case of prepubescent children, there is a complaint of behavioral abnormalities attributable to sleepiness.
2. Sleep time, established by personal history or sleep logs, is usually shorter than expected for age.
3. The curtailed sleep pattern is present most days for at least 3 months.
4. Sleep time is shortened by measures such as an alarm clock or being awakened by another person, but people generally sleep longer when such measures are not used, such as on weekends or vacations.
5. Extension of total sleep time results in the resolution of the symptoms of sleepiness. 
6. Medical or mental disorders and medication or substance use or withdrawal are not present.

If external factors are causing the sleep problem(s), the “environmental sleep syndrome” diagnosis may be made. The symptoms of environmental sleep disorder are typically characterized by difficulties with sleep initiation, maintenance, or both that directly result from the influence of an environmental factor. As with other sleep issues, associated symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, fatigue, or cognitive and emotional disturbances may be present. Environmental disturbances may include noise, light, temperature, a bed partner’s movement, emotional stimuli, or occupational, familial, or social responsibilities. 

Note: Although I am a physician, the content in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness or disease in the reader – it is for educational purposes only.

References

1. The AASM International Classification of Sleep Disorders – Third Edition, Text Revision (ICSD-3-TR), American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2024.
2. Kolla BP, He JP, Mansukhani MP, Frye MA, Merikangas K. Excessive sleepiness and associated symptoms in the U.S. adult population: prevalence, correlates, and comorbidity. Sleep Health 2020;6(1):79-87.
3. Consensus Conference Panel, Watson NF, Badr MS, et al. Joint consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society on the recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: methodology and discussion. Sleep 2015;38(8):1161-1183.