Even if you think you're getting enough sleep, you may be suffering from sleep deprivation. The symptoms of sleep deprivation are not necessarily as clear-cut as you might think; in other words, it's not just feeling sleepy all the time that is your cue that you're short on sleep.  

An increasing number of men and women are spending the time between getting up from bed and crashing back into it in a whir. And those intervals between getting up and going to sleep are growing longer and longer. Everywhere there is a mad rush to avoid being left out. From reaching your office, dropping kids at school, shopping at the local grocery store, every simple task leaves us stressed out and tired. 

A recent study shows that most adults compromise on their sleep time. This may be due to hectic work schedules or simply because sleep eludes them. 

Here are some tips to identify that you are deprived of your full sleep. 

Regularity 

Everyone has trouble sleeping now and then. We all experience the occasional sleepless night and groggy morning. We may even go through a period when we experience these things, such as during life transitions and stresses. But when sleep deprivation may be a problem is when it is a regular occurrence, and is unrelated to circumstances.  

Sleep Debt 

Experts point out "sleep debt" as a way in which sleep deprivation can enter your life without you necessarily realizing it. Sleep debt is accumulated gradually, and is said to result from an hour or more of missed sleep every night for several nights. Sleep debt can get so bad that several nights of regular sleep are required to improve normal functioning. 

Mood 

Lack of sleep can make people very irritable; sources say. People will become snappish and impatient. People find themselves having little tolerance for their own mistakes and those of others. In all these cases, it may be lack of sleep that's the culprit. 

Increased Appetite and/or Weight Gain 

Lack of sleep may increase your appetite and lead to weight gain. Perhaps the body's need for energy when it's sleep-deprived is what leads to a craving for sweets, carbohydrates, or just food in general. Increased appetite may also be the result of hormones that kick in when the body is deprived of sleep.  

Even without a marked increase in appetite, research has shown the sleep deprivation can result in weight gain. This also may be due to hormonal imbalances caused by too little sleep. 

Mistakes 

If you find yourself making silly mistakes on a regular basis - dropping things, forgetting dates on the calendar, messing up your schedule, and so forth - it may be your sleepy brain. Studies show that those who don't get enough sleep have a hard time performing normal tasks that are no problem when they are getting enough sleep. 

Depression 

As with other mental disorders, sleep deprivation may not be a cause of depression, but rather a symptom. However, some sources do point out that depression can result from a lack of sleep. If you are feeling depressed and are having a hard time determining why, you might take a look at your sleep habits.