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People who stay up late have a higher chance of depression According to a study, this seems to be true for those who wake up later compared to the early birds.
British scientists discovered that individuals who remain awake late at night tend to experience excessive worrying during these hours and also consume more. alcohol —a recognized risk factor for mental health disorders.
They indicated that their research implied that implementing strategies to alter this sleep pattern might possibly decrease depression symptoms, which affect approximately one out of every six adults.
In this research, scholars from the University of Surrey asked 546 college students to share details about their sleep habits.
They categorized participants into three groups: morning types (those who wake up early), evening types (night owls), or intermediates.
The research revealed that individuals who stay up late typically score about two points higher on a medical depression questionnaire compared to those who rise early, on average.
Participants were additionally questioned regarding their consciousness of their own thoughts and emotions, their inclination towards brooding, as well as their consumption of alcohol.
The analysis showed that those who stay up late tend to consume more alcohol, experience lower sleep quality, and often report brooding thoughts.

Writing in the journal PLOS One The researchers indicated that these elements might be linked to the heightened risk of depression within this population.
Those who remain awake until late at night get extra hours to reflect and fret over their life circumstances, unlike those who retire early, making them more susceptible to experiencing depressive symptoms due to these habits.
The study also revealed that individuals who retire to sleep earlier tended to exhibit higher levels of emotional and cognitive self-awareness.
The authors proposed that this might serve as a shield against depressive feelings.
Evening types noted an average sleep quality score of eight, where higher numbers signify poorer sleep, as opposed to an average score of five for individuals who go to bed earlier.
The authors concluded: "Given the prevalence of poor mental health among numerous young adults, these study findings hold significant importance."
'A lot of younger people often remain awake during late hours, and these findings suggest ways to intervene that might help lower their chances of experiencing depression.'
The study did not record levels of alcohol consumption directly.

Participants were instead divided into six groups according to the average number of alcoholic units they reported consuming each week, where group one had the lowest consumption and group six had the highest.
On average, night owls received a score of two on this scale, while early risers only managed a score of one.
This study is observational, which means that even though researchers identified an association between elements such as poor sleep quality, drinking alcohol, and increased risks of depression among individuals who stay up late, they couldn’t definitively establish that these factors were the direct causes rather than something else influencing participants' lives.
The NHS recognizes a connection between alcohol use and depression, cautioning that drinking may cause alterations in the brain that heighten the likelihood of developing this mental health issue.
Nevertheless, it's not as straightforward as claiming that drinking leads to depression.
Individuals who are already dealing with depression might resort to increasing their alcohol consumption as a way to cope with their emotions, but this behavior can worsen their situation.
A further constraint of the recent research is that merely 38 participants were early birds, potentially affecting how one interprets the outcomes.
Prior research has yielded inconsistent findings regarding whether being a night owl is advantageous or disadvantageous for health.


A report from last year indicated those who wake up later might exhibit more acute mental acuity , showing improved performance in cognitive assessments, compared to various sleep schedules.
Nonetheless, some studies have indicated that night owls face a greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes due to their circadian rhythm. is not aligned with societal norms .
Other research has similarly shown that these individuals are more prone to smoking, consuming unhealthful foods, and having a greater body mass index.
Notable night owls feature former US President Barack Obama, who allegedly would retire for sleep well after midnight but rise each day around 7 am.
British political titan and former prime minister Winston Churchill was also a night owl, going to bed at 4am and rising so late that he hosted War Cabinet meetings in his bath.
Elvis Presley, known as 'The King,' was also famous for his late-night routines, frequently not having breakfast until 4 pm.
The pop star Robbie Williams has also mentioned being a night owl, formerly stating he stays awake until 6 am and prepares his initial meal of the day at 5 pm. .
Based on recent information provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately one out of every six adults in the UK reported experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms during 2022.
Although many individuals experience spells of sadness, those who remain consistently gloomy for several weeks or even months should consider consulting their doctor for assistance.
The approach to treating depression can differ based on how severe it is; for milder cases, a general practitioner may recommend activities like exercising or engaging in therapeutic conversations as initial treatments.
Individuals with severe cases may be advised to undergo a regimen involving both therapeutic sessions and medications such as antidepressants.
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