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AVI SADEH |
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Stress, Anxiety And Adolescent Sleep: A
Clinical-Developmental Perspective
AVI SADEH  leep is considered a very sensitive barometer
of stress and anxiety. The sensitivity of the
sleep-wake system is manifested by the role
that sleep-related symptoms play in the
psychiatric diagnosis of anxiety disorders
including post-traumatic stress disorder. The
research literature reflects strong links
between anxiety, stress and sleep patterns.
Stress and anxiety have been often associated
with disorders of initiating and maintaining
sleep (e.g., difficulty falling asleep,
multiple and prolonged night-wakings);
however, it has also been suggested that
stress could lead to "escape" into sleep which
results in deeper and longer sleep episodes.
These opposing tendencies will be discussed in
the context of stress and coping theories.
Clinical examples will serve to illustrate how
stressful developmental issues interfere with
normal sleep pattern in adolescents.
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