How long can one go without sleep

Hi Ernest,

I'm not sure if you are asking about a complete lack of sleep, or if you are asking about poor sleep, so I'll try to address both.

First, with regards to a complete lack of sleep, there was a man in Britain who supposedly stayed awake in 2007 for about 11 days, which may be a world record (Guiness will not accept submissions for sleep deprivation).  Another source I found asserts that most people will die after 10 days without sleep.  I'm not sure how accurate that statement is, as it would not be a good idea to research this issue!

It's far more pertinent for us to discuss sleep deprivation, which there are generally two types: Not getting enough sleep (fewer hours than you normally need) and poor sleep (waking up, not cycling into deep sleep, etc).  Sleep deprivation affects your health, and maybe even your weight!

Changes or stressful events might cause short-term insomnia    There are a number of possible causes for long-term insomnia, including emotional disorders, medical problems, overuse of alcohol, and shift work.

I recently answered a question, "How much sleep do we need," which summarizes what a few sources say about how much sleep we need at various stages of life.

In sum, it's best to get consistent, good sleep!  Here are some tips to do just that!

Regards,

Dr. Jennifer Fee

www.drjenniferfee.com

www.thestressmasters.com

*Dr. Fee is a Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist. Psychiatrists prescribe medications, Psychologists study them, but the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe meds. or give you specific advice about them. Dr. Fee's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.

Speaking for myself I can go 5-7 days with no sleep at all-I think I'm thinking of my ex-husband.

Debbie Chapman