sleep deprivation cure?

[jimbo1212]

Can an individual deprive themselves of sleep long enough to do harm to themselves?
It would seem to me that my daughter (21 years old) has over stimulated herself to a degree that she cannot come down from sensory overload. Consider that she has moved to Spain with a student exchange program. Is learning Spanish as a second language. Is constantly traveling to see the "sights". Meeting new people and eating food that is mostly very foreign to her. Dancing and partying into the wee hours of the morning. Communication with American friends and Family is sooo difficult. Could a sensory overload and total lack of sleep initiate a psychotic episode?

What would you suggest from this preliminary information?

[KatEyes]

When you say "total lack of sleep", do you mean absolutely none and for how long? Is she using a stimulant to stay awake? I think it would have to be extreme and prolonged to cause a psychotic episode, but I don't have any experience with that. I do know 2 young women who had breakdowns after a prolonged hyper state. I can speak a bit to what it's like to have a sensory overload and get stuck in high gear.

I know that a similar appearing state can be seen in the manic phase of bipolar moods. I am not bipolar, but experienced this "stuck in high gear" for a few months. I already was struggling with poor sleep due to sleep apnea that was undiagnosed at the time. At work my responsibilities increased and I was constantly rehashing in my mind the various decisions I had to make in selecting and writing specs for a data management software conversion. Then an extended family member was killed in the military and I had to plan the local service while the parents were out of state at the memorials on the base. And I was the point person for coordinating media communications. I was unable to grieve as I had too much to do. Then the agency I worked for took on the task of helping a family whose children had been removed from the home due to living conditions. I was assigned to visit the home and assess the needs, solicit donated goods and coordinate volunteers, and assure appropriate counseling thru the other agencies involved. Add to this that unknown to me at the time, a med I was on was known to cause compulsive behavior. My mind couldn't shut off day or night.

Fortunately, a family member advised me that until I totally removed myself from all the stimuli I was not likely to be able to break its grip. I went on a "girls getaway" and on the 3rd day I felt this extreme sense of the tension draining from me. I was free.

Due to your daughter's situtation, there's not much she can do to totally escape the sensory overload. Young people are amazingly resilient and some go all thru college with inadequate and irregular sleep. But if she indicates the being stuck scenario, suggest she modify her schedule for a few days and arrange a few hours here and there of total down time. Remind her that sleep is critical to her cognitive abilities and memory, and to be kind to herself so that her body and mind are equipped to handle a busy lifestyle. Usually nature will take over and the "crash" will come with an extended session of sleep. Encourage her to embrace that, and to even get some help if she is unable.

[jimbo1212]

Thanks for your insight.

I'm uncertain about her actual sleep attainment. Her unfamiliar resting environment, "home", is quite noisy.  I do not believe any drugs, stimulants, have been used. Sensory overload and "stuck in high gear" seem to describe her condition. The few times we communicate she speaks of so many wonderful experiences and so many things she wants to achieve and accomplish. She will begin to cry and confuse one subject with another.

Can you tell me anything about the 2 young women that had breakdowns? Did they reach a breakdown point because of sensory overload?

At this point, my wife is heading to Spain to be with our daughter. We will bring her back to familiar surroundings and make sure she gets the rest she needs and arrange additional professional help.  

[KatEyes]

Both the young ladies I spoke of were in college at the time of their problems. Both were and are high achievers with a lot on their plate. One mother said that lack of sleep led up to the breakdown, and in the end her daughter was diagnosed as bipolar - it runs in their family. The other basically "crashed" and became for a time unable to do anything but cry. Both rebounded and resumed their education and have enviable careers, having learned a lot about balance in life.

Your description of your daughter's conversation sounds like she does need some help in getting past this point. Hopefully there is someone there you can ask to give you some perspective on her state of mind, and if needed, look out for her around the clock till your wife can get there. But hopefully by the time you are reading this she has been able to sleep and is doing better. The sleep piece is so important. Best wishes.

[jimbo1212]

Thanks again for your comments.

I'm relieved to know my little girl is now with her mother and they will be home soon.

I thought this forum would provide a bit more insight from others. It is so helpful to know that others have similar experiences. I guess responses my yet come.

Thanks for your kindness.