Sleep and Mental Health (C8910)
Note to prospective students: this content is drawn from our database of current courses and modules. The detail does vary from year to year as our courses are constantly under review and continuously improving, but this information should give you a real flavour of what it is like to study at Sussex.
Sleep and Mental Health
Module C8910
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Full Module Description
We’re all familiar with struggling after a poor night’s sleep: irritability, low mood, and inability to focus are just some of the consequences of acute sleep loss. But what happens when sleep is persistently disrupted? How does poor sleep interact with mental health over days, weeks, and even years? In this module, you’ll discover how sleep and mental health are highly interconnected – with sleep disturbances underlying the development and maintenance of most psychopathologies. We’ll uncover the latest innovations for improving sleep, and explore sleep problems in specific disorders, especially those which are less well-researched, such as ADHD, Depersonalisation, and OCD.
Module Outline
We’re all familiar with struggling after a poor night’s sleep: irritability, low mood, and inability to focus are just some of the consequences of acute sleep loss. But what happens when sleep is persistently disrupted? How does poor sleep interact with mental health over days, weeks, and even years? In this module, you’ll discover how sleep and mental health are highly interconnected – with sleep disturbances underlying the development and maintenance of most psychopathologies. We’ll uncover the latest innovations for improving sleep, and explore sleep problems in specific disorders, especially those which are less well-researched, such as ADHD, Depersonalisation, and OCD.
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of interactions between sleep and mental health
Critically evaluate empirical research linking various sleep parameters to specific mental health disorders
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Computer Based Exam | T1 Week 6 (1 hour) | 100.00% |
| Report (1500 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 2 Wed 16:00 | 70.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Giulia Poerio
Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/514955
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.