A survey among college-going youths in Delhi has found that 34 per cent females and 15 per cent of their male counterparts have sleep disturbances and are at a higher risk of being affected by depression and anxiety.
"In a recent survey, 34 per cent of female students and 15.7 per cent of male students reported disturbed sleep.
"The study also found that students with sleep disturbances are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, emotional and behavioural disturbances, deteriorating academic performance, internet and gaming addiction, excessive gadget use, inter personal relationship problems as well as alcohol and drug abuse," said the survey by the Cosmos Institute of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences (CIMBS).
The study, which was released today on the eve of World Sleep Day, was done among 500 college-going youths in New Delhi. The theme of World Sleep Day this year is 'Good Sleep is a Reachable Dream'.
"Psychiatrists across the city are seeing a new trend of sleep disorder among children, adolescents and youths in which the individual sleeps late and wakes up late in the morning, leading to Phase Delayed Sleep Disorder (PDSD)," said Sunil Mittal, Director, CIMBS.
He said that "a good night's rest is a key pillar of mental and physical health and the treatment of sleep disorders can reduce the risk of hypertension, diabetes, cancers, depression and anxiety.
"Studies worldwide have shown that one third (35 per cent) of people feel they do not get enough sleep, impacting both their physical and mental health.
"Insomnia alone affects 8-10 per cent of the general population and may lead to increased risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, headache, immune deficiency, anxiety, depression, memory problems, road traffic accidents and decreased work performance," said Shobhana Mittal, attending consultant psychiatrist at CIMBS.
Rajesh Kumar, member of World Association of Sleep Medicine, said sleep is especially essential for physical as well as emotional growth among the youth.
