Acute dissociation after 1 night of sleep loss

T.M. Giesbrecht*, T. Smeets, H.L.G.J. Merckelbach, M. Jelicic, J. Leppink

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Recent research has shown that dissociative symptoms are related to self-reports of deviant sleep experiences. The present study is the 1st to explore whether sleep loss can fuel dissociative symptoms. Twenty-five healthy volunteers were deprived of sleep for I night. Sleepiness and dissociative symptoms were assessed every 6 hr. The authors measured both spontaneous dissociative symptoms and dissociative symptoms induced by dot-staring during sensory deprivation. Sleepiness as well as spontaneous and induced dissociative symptoms were stable throughout the day but increased during the night. These findings provide further evidence for a robust relationship between disruptions in sleep patterns and dissociative symptoms.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)599-606
JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology
Volume116
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2007

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