Sleep Loss Gives Rise to Intrusive Thoughts

Marcus O Harrington; Scott A Cairney

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2021.03.001

Sleep Loss Gives Rise to Intrusive Thoughts

Trends Cogn Sci. 2021 Jun;25(6):434-436. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.03.001. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

Authors

Marcus O Harrington¹, Scott A Cairney²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK.
² Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK; York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK. Electronic address: scott.cairney@york.ac.uk.

PMID: 33727016
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.03.001

Abstract

We propose a framework in which top-down inhibitory control networks are impaired by sleep deprivation, giving rise to intrusive thoughts and, consequently, emotion dysregulation. This process leads to a vicious cycle of sleeplessness, persistent unwanted thoughts, and heightened anxiety, ultimately increasing the risk of mental illness.

Keywords: PTSD; anxiety disorder; emotion regulation; memory control; memory suppression; sleep deprivation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Cognition
Humans
Sleep
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders*

Grants and funding

MR/P020208/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom