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Mental Health > Sleep Disorders Forum > What are the effects of Sleep Deprivation? Can a person go
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Q: What are the effects of Sleep Deprivation? Can a person go
asked by: DoctorQuestion on May 26th, 2006
im embarking on a 168hour(7day) period in which im not going 2 sleep.

im already 26 hours into this, what can i expect 2 happen 2 me(besides halucinations)
and how long can i do this without going totaly insane?


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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on June 3rd, 2006
Sleep Disorders Answer A1003
It seems highly likely that you will fall asleep at some point during 7 days.It doesn't seem likely that a body can remain 7 days without sleeping. A prolonged awakened condition can cause progressive dysfunction of the brain accompanied by abnormal behavior. Thoughts can become slow and a person becomes more excitable or psychotic (hallucinations). Sleeping maintains the balance among the nerve centers in the brain so it is very important to sleep enough... and properly. The duration a person can go without sleeping and the symptoms manifested during deprivation will depend upon his/her individual characteristics.


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