Sleep Disorders

Insomnia

• The inability to sleep• Most common type is difficulty falling

asleep.• People w/ insomnia are more likely

to worry and to have “racing minds”• Usually comes and goes, worse w/

anxiety or tension.• Only a problem when it occurs for

long periods of time.

Nightmare/Night Terrors

• Common nightmares involve snakes or murder.– Some specific to a particular activity or

profession.

• Upsetting events can produce nightmares– Depression/anxiety increases

• Dreamers feel hearts racing, gasp for air, may sit up, thrash, etc.– Do not fully awaken, memories may be

vague

Nightmares/Night Terrors

• Night terrors similar to nightmares, but more severe.

• Night terrors occur during stages 3 and 4

• Nightmares occur during REM

Sleepwalking

• Many children walk in their sleep• Tends to run in families – most

children outgrow it• Occurs during deep sleep.• May even respond to questions – but do not remember any of it

Sleep Apnea

• Breathing interruption that occurs during sleep– Do not automatically start breathing again

until they awaken gasping for air

• Occurs when a person’s air passages are blocked.

• More common in older, overweight men– Can lead to high blood pressure– Greater risk for stroke and heart attack

Narcolepsy

• Very rare – people suddenly fall asleep

• Believed to be a genetic disorder of REM-sleep function

• Cataplexy may occur which is a body paralysis

• Genetic link

• No cure

RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)

• Painful, prickly sensations that force victims to twitch their legs rapidly, leading to sleeplessness.

Hypersomnia

• Excessive sleepiness.

• Deep or prolonged major sleep period in which there are prolonged sleep episodes in non-REM sleep– 1-2 hours

• Unknown cause but is associated with the CNS

Kleine Levin Syndrome• Rare neurological disorder characterized by

recurring periods of excessive amounts of sleep and altered behavior.

• At the onset of an episode, the patient is drowsy and can sleep months.

• May “semi” awaken to eat/use bathroom– Spacey, childlike, confused, disoriented– Uncommunicative

• Episodes may come and go w/out warning• Cause is a malfunction in the hypothalamus

and low dopamine