Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are conditions that interfere with the quantity, quality, or timing of sleep. Up to one in three adults has some form of sleep disturbance. Many are treatable.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
- Affects: ~33% of adults at some point
- Most common: Insomnia
- Specialist: Sleep medicine
Overview
Sleep disorders fall into several broad categories:
- Insomnia disorders (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
- Sleep-related breathing disorders (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea)
- Hypersomnolence disorders (excessive daytime sleepiness)
- Circadian rhythm disorders
- Parasomnias (sleepwalking, night terrors, REM behavior disorder)
- Sleep-related movement disorders (restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements)
Common Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to daytime fatigue and impaired functioning.
Sleep apnea
Repeated breathing pauses during sleep, often with snoring.
Restless legs syndrome
Uncomfortable sensations and urge to move the legs, worse at night.
Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness with sudden sleep attacks, sometimes with cataplexy.
Circadian rhythm disorders
Misalignment between the body clock and external schedule (shift work, jet lag, delayed sleep phase).
Parasomnias
Abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, or acting out dreams.
When Sleep Is a Problem
- Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep time
- Loud snoring or witnessed pauses in breathing
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Sudden episodes of muscle weakness with emotion
- Unusual behaviors during sleep
- Sleep that interferes with work, school, mood, or relationships
Diagnosis
- Sleep history and diary
- Validated questionnaires (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ISI)
- Polysomnography (sleep study)
- Home sleep tests for selected cases
- Multiple sleep latency test for narcolepsy
- Actigraphy for circadian rhythm assessment
Treatment
- Sleep hygiene and behavioral changes
- Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) — first-line for chronic insomnia
- CPAP for sleep apnea
- Medications when appropriate (sleep, daytime sleepiness, restless legs)
- Light therapy for circadian disorders
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if sleep problems persist beyond a few weeks, affect daytime functioning, or you notice loud snoring with pauses, sudden sleepiness, or unusual sleep behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most adults need 7–9 hours per night. A small percentage feel rested with less, but consistently sleeping under 6–7 hours is associated with health risks.
Most sleep medications work best for short-term use. CBT-I is the recommended long-term treatment for chronic insomnia, with comparable effectiveness and fewer side effects.
References
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sleep Disorders Patient Information.