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Sleep deprivation can produce mood-related problems, including depression-like symptoms and irritability. Irritability can appear when a person gets fewer than four hours of sleep.

Mood-Related Effects of Sleep Deprivation

The link between sleep and emotional/mood-related symptoms can be attributed to the amygdala-prefrontal cortex mechanism that governs regulation of emotions in times of sleep deprivation. More specifically, owing a sleep debt hinders the ability of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) to inhibit amygdala activity, resulting in unstable and unfiltered emotional responses (impulsiveness). A second area within the forebrain, the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC), which plays a role in emotional processing, is also negatively affected by a lack of sleep that manifests itself in the form of amygdala sensitivity to stimuli (irritability).

Mechanism of Mood-Sleep Relationship

A student has been consistently sleeping for only four hours per night while studying for exams. They report several issues to a campus counselor. Which of the following reported issues is the clearest example of a mood-related consequence of their sleep pattern?

Based on the scenario below, what is the most likely psychological explanation for Alex's recent change in behavior? Justify your answer using details from the text.

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