Final answer:
Total sleep deprivation can lead to physiological issues like obesity, hypertension, and weakened immune function, as well as psychological effects including depression-like symptoms, cognitive impairments, and in severe cases, hallucinations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negative Effects of Total Sleep Deprivation
One physiological negative effect of total sleep deprivation is the increased risk of obesity, elevated blood pressure, raised stress hormone levels, and a weakened immune system. A single night without sleep may lead individuals to experience significant drowsiness, weakening their ability to stay awake during sedentary activities. This can be particularly dangerous when operating vehicles or heavy machinery since sleep deprivation can impair cognitive and motor functions in ways similar to alcohol intoxication.
A psychological negative impact of sleep deprivation includes symptoms similar to depression. Such symptoms can result from both chronic sleep debt and acute periods of sleep loss. Cognitive function, decision-making abilities, attention, and memory recall are all adversely affected with increasing severity as the amount of sleep loss increases. Prolonged periods of wakefulness over 24 hours can lead to more severe psychological effects such as irritability, distractibility, and even hallucinations.