3 warning signs you’re headed for insomnia — and why mood swings are a major red flag

The image shows a blonde haired woman sitting up in bed inside a dark bedroom. Her knees are bent and her hands are placed over her face. .

A tendency to zone out mid-sentence, nod off on the couch or lose your temper over any minor inconvenience? To you, they might seems like character quirks.

However, researchers from the University of Maryland have identified thinking, fatigue and mood as behaviors associated with insomnia. Which means that, even if you think you might be getting enough sleep, subtle behaviors like mood swings and zoning out could indicate significant sleep deprivation.

"When [these behaviors] appear together, they suggest sleep is not restorative, even if you believe you're 'getting enough hours,'" explains Dr. Saema Tahir, an adult and pediatric sleep specialist.