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In my world, the term ?sleep deprived? has several levels of meaning. My husband and I experienced multiple night waking with both our daughters when they were newborns. Then came the ?I can?t get back to sleep? period after they settled down. Later we discovered the 30-minute episodes of teething and crying fits that dragged us out of bed. The grandmother of all was the cumulative effect of all these sleep interruptions over weeks and months. Research shows that lack of sleep can lead to irritability, hunger, lack of focus, memory loss and, in some cases, depression. To help you get through those days when life seems impossible, here are some ideas from parents and experts. Be aware of your moods. It?s not your fault that your head is in a fog, you snap at everyone, and running an errand seems unimaginable. ?When you?re sleep deprived, you agonize over simple decisions,? says Carlyle Smith, a psychology professor at Trent University in Peterborough, Ont., who?s been researching sleep deprivation for more than 30 years. Tell your spouse and children where your moods are coming from?letting off steam can prevent stressful situations from escalating. While it?s normal to be miserable occasionally, sleep deprivation can also trigger depression in some people, including postpartum, when hormones are fluctuating wildly and you?re dealing with a number of stressors. If you?re suffering ongoing insomnia (the inability to fall asleep even when you have the chance...