Final answer:
Suyin's friend believes she is in an ASC due to psychological changes from sleep deprivation, including impaired cognitive functions like attention and judgment, as well as emotional disturbances like irritability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychological Changes Due to Sleep Deprivation
Due to Suyin's decreased sleep over the past week, her friend's assertion that she is experiencing an altered state of consciousness (ASC) could be based on several psychological changes. First, sleep deprivation is known to impair cognitive functions including attention, concentration, and judgment. This cognitive decline might manifest as making more errors at work, difficulties with memory, or poor decision-making. Second, lack of adequate sleep often leads to emotional disturbances such as irritability or mood swings. Such changes in behavior could seem out of character for Suyin and suggest an ASC.
In addition, the impacts of sleep deprivation extend beyond cognitive and emotional domains, potentially influencing physical health by increasing the risk for obesity, high blood pressure, and weakened immune function. Therefore, the psychological changes observed by Suyin's friend, such as cognitive difficulties and emotional irritability, are likely indicators of Suyin's ASC due to the extreme sleep deprivation she is experiencing.