1. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Problems:

2. Individual Differences in Sleep Drive
Some individuals need more and some less than the typical 8 hours per night
Nonsomniacs—sleep far less than most, but do not feel tired during the day
Insomniacs—has a normal desire for sleep, but is unable to and feels tired during the day
Keywords: nonsomniacs, insomniacs

3. Sleep Disorders Quick List
Insomnia—inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
REM sleep disorder—sleeper acts out his or her dreams
Night terrors—sudden arousal from sleep and intense fear accompanied by physiological reactions (e.g., rapid heart rate, perspiration) that occur during slow-wave sleep
Narcolepsy—overpowering urge to fall asleep that may occur while talking or standing up
Sleep apnea—failure to breathe when asleep
Keywords: somnambulism, nightmares, night terrors, narcolepsy, sleep apnea

4. Insomnia Recurring problems falling asleep or staying asleep
Sleeping pills tend to inhibit or suppress REM sleep; worsen the problem
Alcohol suppresses REM sleep; also worsens the problem
Studies show most people overestimate how long it took them to get to sleep

5. Sleep Apnea
A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and consequent momentary reawakenings.
Tend to be loud snorers
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine

6. Narcolepsy
A sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks
Person goes directly into REM sleep
Nervous system getting aroused tends to trigger the sleep attack
Narcolepsy has a genetic link and runs in some breeds of dogs.
Rusty the Narcoleptic Dog (Click to View)
Other Dogs with Narcolepsy (Click to View)
Dobermans with Narcolepsy (Click to View)
Skeeter the Narcoleptic Poodle (Click to View)

7. Somnambulism Formal name for sleepwalking
Starts in the deep stages of N-REM sleep
Person can walk or talk but remembers nothing of the experience
CNN Report on Sleep Deprivation & Sleep Walking (2 min)

8. Night Terrors
Sleep disorder characterized by high arousal and appearance of being terrified
Happens during stage 4 sleep; mostly children
The children seldom remember the event.

9. Other Sleep Disorders Bruxism – teeth grinding Enuresis – bed wetting
Myoclonus – sudden jerk of a body part occurring during stage 1 sleep
Everyone has occasional episodes of myoclonus