Sleep Disorders Mr. Koch AP Psychology Forest Lake High School

Insomnia Persistent problems in falling or staying asleep Considered chronic when occurs most night for 3-4 wks – Number experiencing insomnia increasing – ~15% adult pop. – Contributing factors: chronic anxiety, depression, situational stress, stimulus overload, drugs (caffeine, alcohol, nicotine), medical problems, restless leg syndrome ~30% no apparent reason

Sleep Apnea Momentarily stop breathing during sleep – will briefly wake up and gasp for air often – wake up tired, but unaware May happen as many as 500 times in a single night Can be life-threatening Nasal CPAP

Sleepwalking & Night Terrors Primarily occur in children and disappear by adolescence – Occur in Stage 4 deep sleep Associated with body movement and intense autonomic activation – Intense screams with night terrors Typically do not remember episodes the next day

Narcolepsy Random, uncontrollable attacks of sleep – Often triggered by emotions – Often go directly to REM Usually < 5 min, up to 20 min

Other random sleep disorders Klein-Levin syndrome Causes people to sleep for days – May walk to bathroom or refrigerator and not remember ever leaving bed Sleep/wake cycle disorders Bodies run on 26- or 27-hour cycle, so fall asleep later each night Hypnophobics Fear going to sleep Hypnalgia Feel “dream pain”