Sleep Disorders What are they and what can be done?

Sleep Disorders KLS – (Kleine Levin Syndrome) Is a rare sleep disorder characterized by recurring periods or excessive drowsiness and sleep (up to 20hrs per day). Symptoms, which can last for days or weeks, include irritability, disorientation, lack of energy, dreamlike state, excessive eating. Regression of maturity, hypersexuality Onset usually in adolescence (15 years) 68% male Episodes tend to lengthen in time with irregular periods of time in between episodes Average diagnosis takes 4 years Causes – unknown Decrease blood flow to the thalamus Affected by decreased activity in the thalamus and hypothalamus Treatment – none with much success Symptoms seem to disappear after 12 years

Narcolepsy – a sleep disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness or uncontrollable sleep attacks Some lasting from 5-30 minutes Symptoms Cataplexy – affecting 75% of the people with the disorder. – sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone Often triggered by emotional experiences Vivid hallucinations during sleep onset or during awakening Brief total body paralysis at the beginning or ending of sleep Automatic behaviors 250,000 people in the US alone suffer Appears to have a genetic connection Typically years before a diagnosis

Conscious-altering Drugs Classifying drugs. The physiology of drug effects. The psychology of drug effects.

Classifying Drugs Psychoactive drug. Substance capable of influencing perception, mood, cognition, or behavior. Types. Stimulants speed up activity in the CNS. Depressants slow down activity in the CNS. Opiates relieve pain. Psychedelic drugs disrupt normal thought processes.

The Physiology of Drug Effects Psychoactive drugs work by acting on brain neurotransmitters. These drugs can: increase or decrease the release of neurotransmitters, prevent reabsorption of excess neurotransmitters by the cells that have released them, block the effects of neurotransmitters on receiving cells, or bind to receptors that would ordinarily be triggered by a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. (mimicking a neurotransmitters)

Cocaine’s Effect on the Brain Cocaine blocks the brain’s reabsorption (“reuptake”) of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, so levels of these substances rise. The result is an overstimulation of certain brain circuits and a brief euphoric high. When drug wears off, depletion of dopamine may cause user to “crash.”

The Psychology of Drug Effects. Reactions to psychoactive drugs depend on: Physical factors such as body weight, metabolism, initial state of emotional arousal and physical tolerance. Experience or the number of times a person has used a drug. Environmental factors such as where and with whom one is drinking. Mental set or expectations for drug’s effects.

The Riddle of Hypnosis Defining hypnosis. The nature of hypnosis. Theories of hypnosis.

HYPNOSIS Hypnosis – A procedure in which the practitioner suggests changes in the sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings or behavior of the subject that typically produces a heightened state of suggestibility Franz Anton Mesmer – “Mesmerized” The person being hypnotized is more important than the hypnotist Easily absorbed into their activities and involved in the world of imagination – weakly related

Hypnotized people will not do “anything” Hypnotized people aren’t superhuman Hypnotism doesn’t increase the accuracy of memory May help jog memories but pseudo memories and errors increase Hypnosis does not allow you to relive long ago events Some may report feeling like a child but they accepting the role It is effective for (stress and pain reduction, eliminating bad habits, improve study skills, pump up confidence in athletes)

Can you be hypnotized How easily can you by Hypnotized?Ask a friend to observe you as you roll your eyes upward as far as they can go while you slowly try to close your eyelids at the same time. Then compare the position of your eyes with the drawing above. The higher you score, the greater your “hypnotizability. About 10% good & bad

2 Theories Dissociation - A split in consciousness in which one part of the mind operates independently of others Examples Driving a car and daydreaming – Highway Hypnosis Ernest Hilgard Hidden observer – watches but does not participate The hypnotized part of the mind remains unaware of the observer Parts of the brain are working independently and not actively communicating Sociocognitive Approach – results from the social influence of the hypnotist and the person willing to accept a role where they will submit to the suggestions of the social figure- not just faking it

Sociocognitive Approach Effects of hypnosis result from interaction between social influence of the hypnotist (socio) and the abilities, beliefs and expectations of the subject (cognitive). Can explain “alien abduction” and “past-life regression.

Those that doubt EEG patterns cannot be distinguished from their EEG patterns in normal waking states (some suggest it is dramatic role-playing) Can duplicate effects