What Are Signs of Sleep Deprivation Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Sleep What Are Signs of Sleep Deprivation Feeling tired every day? Don't ignore those symptoms. Medically ReviewedEveryday Health: What are the most common signs of sleep deprivation, and why is it important not to ignore them? David O. Volpi, MD, FACS (nycsnoringsleepapneacenter.com) Daytime symptoms of sleep deprivation include waking with headaches and feeling fatigued throughout the day. The sleep deprived can feel irritable. They can have poor memory, lack of concentration, and inability to perform certain tasks, which leads to poor job performance. They can have difficulty with motor function, and it can be dangerous for them to operate a car or machinery. Cognitive functions such as math skills can be affected. It can lead to depression as well. It’s important not to ignore these symptoms because sleep deprivation ultimately affects their work life and relationships, and gives them a poor quality of life — not to mention that there may be the underlying physical cause of snoring or sleep apnea. William Dement, MD, PhD (end-your-sleep-deprivation.com) The main sign of sleep deprivation, in an otherwise healthy person, is being tired all the time. Falling asleep requires a lesser degree of bodily activity. Heavy eyelids are the major sign of sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation leads to cognitive impairment and the potentially fatal danger of falling asleep in a hazardous situation, like behind a wheel of a car. Russell Rosenberg, PhD (sleepfoundation.org) The primary sign of sleep deprivation is fatigue and sleepiness during the day. In extreme cases, sleep may overcome an individual at the most inopportune time (e.g., when driving). Many people significantly underestimate the degree to which they are sleep deprived. The National Sleep Foundation’s annual polls have consistently shown that sleep deprivation negatively affects mood and relationships. Inadequate sleep can also increase irritability, reduce tolerance to stress, and affect mental abilities such as memory or problem solving. Scott Eveloff, MD (somnitech.com) Morning grogginess is a common complaint. If severe enough to interfere with arrival at school or work, or to otherwise affect quality of life, "quick tips" may not be enough. Sleep disorders (sleep apnea), circadian rhythm (internal clock) problems, medication effects, or actual disorders of sleepiness may all warrant consideration before trying quick solutions. Morning light exposure and keeping a regular schedule may both help. Conrad Iber, MD (hcmc.org/sleep) Perhaps the scariest thing about sleep deprivation is that we can be as impaired as someone who is drunk and yet we may not realize it. Computer simulation of facial expression shows that if you look sleep deprived to others, you are more likely to make mistakes! Pay attention to your sleep needs and your friends. John K. Mori, MD (sleepcenterinfo.com) The most common sign of sleep deprivation is an excessive level of daytime sleepiness. Some other signs of sleep deprivation include short-term memory loss, depressed mood or irritability, and poor attention. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents, thus it is particularly important to obtain adequate sleep. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Living Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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