SLEEP DISORDERS SLEEP DISORDERS Disturbances of sleep that

SLEEP DISORDERS

SLEEP DISORDERS • Disturbances of sleep that interfere with getting a good night’s sleep and remaining alert during the day. • Affects approximately 70 million people in the United States

INSOMNIA • The most common sleep disorder. • Difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep, or returning to sleep after waking up during the night

CAUSES OF INSOMNIA • Substance abuse • Physical illness • Psychological disorders like depression

NARCOLEPSY • Affects 150, 000 Americans • Characterized by sudden, unexplained “sleep attacks” occurring during the daytime hours. • In narcoleptics, REM sleep occurs almost immediately

NARCOLEPSY • Sleep episode lasts for about 15 minutes. • The sleep attack can be preceded by frightening hallucinations that can involve several senses; • • Visual Auditory Tactile kinesthetic

SLEEP APNEA • People affected may literally stop breathing as many as 500 times during a night’s sleep. • This is caused by a structural defect such as a thick palate or enlarged tonsils.

SLEEP APNEA • Fitful sleep deprives people of solid sleep so that they are sleepy during the day. • Increased risk for hypertension and stroke. • Snore very loudly (industrial strength snoring). • More common in men in their middle ages and people who are obese.

SLEEP TERROR DISORDER • Different than nightmares in that they occur during deep sleep, not REM sleep. • Primarily affects children (boys more often than girls). • Begin with a loud panicked scream • Most children outgrow the problem by adolescence

SLEEPWALKING DISORDER • Affect as many as 5% of children. • The following morning the sleepwalker usually remembers nothing of their nighttime wandering. • There is no harm in waking up a person who is sleepwalking.

TREATMENT • Sleep disorders are often treated with medications that induce sleep. • As with any other type of drug, dependence is possible. • Medications should only be taken for a few weeks at most.

NON-DRUG TREATMENTS (PG. 162) • Adopt a regular schedule • Don’t try to force sleep • Establish a regular bedtime routine • Establish the proper cues for sleeping • Avoid tossing and turning • Avoid daytime naps if you miss sleep

NON-DRUG TREATMENTS (PG. 162) • Don’t take your problems to bed • Use mental imagery • Adopt a regular exercise program • Limit your intake of caffeine, especially in the afternoon • Practice rational “self-talk” • These treatments can be as helpful as drugs