What Are Sleep Disorders?
Quality sleep is essential for both brain and body health. It plays a crucial role in regulating mood, memory, immune function, and physical restoration. Adults generally require 7–8 hours of sleep per night, yet over 35% consistently get less than this. Teens need 8–10 hours, but only about a third meet that benchmark. Younger children require even more to support proper development. Sleep deprivation in children and teens can affect hormone release, cognitive function, and behavior, while chronic sleep loss in adults increases the risk of mental health issues, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, memory loss, and reduced productivity.
Who Struggles with Sleep Disorders?
It’s estimated that 50–70 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder. Insomnia is the most prevalent, with short-term episodes affecting up to one-third of adults, and chronic insomnia impacting about 10%. Sleep disorders are especially common among individuals with mental health conditions:
75% of people with depression experience insomnia
69–99% of those with bipolar disorder report sleep disruptions
Over 50% of anxiety sufferers struggle with sleep
Children with ADHD are more likely to face sleep difficulties
Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
Sleep-related issues vary depending on the underlying condition but may include:
Sleep-related issues vary depending on the underlying condition but may include:
Excessive tiredness during the day
Constant urge to nap
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Loud snoring or teeth grinding
Periodic breathing interruptions while asleep
Leg cramps or twitching during sleep
Morning headaches
Recurring nightmares
Flailing or jerky movements while asleep
Untreated sleep disorders can increase the risk of:
ADHD or attention difficulties
Memory loss and cognitive decline
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Depression or mood swings
Panic attacks
Relationship breakdowns
Suicidal ideation
Head injuries due to poor judgment or coordination
What Causes Sleep Disorders?
- Lifestyle habits: Poor sleep hygiene, caffeine consumption, screen exposure
- Travel and work schedules: Jet lag and shift work
- Physical health conditions: Obesity, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance
- Medications: Side effects from certain prescriptions
- Mental health issues: Anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD
- Neurological disorders: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, ALS
Types of Sleep Disorders
There are several recognized types of sleep disorders that impact nightly rest and daily functioning. Below are the most common:
Defined by difficulty falling or staying asleep, insomnia affects 35% of U.S. adults and nearly 70% of high schoolers. It’s often due to overactivity in the brain, which may stem from chronic stress, poor sleep habits, anxiety, depression, or medical conditions.
This condition causes excessive daytime drowsiness, inability to stay awake, or difficulty waking up. Triggers may include:
Depression or bipolar disorder
Brain injuries or tumors
Substance abuse
Certain medications
Sleep disorders like narcolepsy or sleep apnea
OSA involves interrupted breathing during sleep, sometimes occurring dozens of times per hour. These episodes reduce oxygen flow to the brain and are linked to:
Cognitive decline
Increased stroke and heart attack risk
Doubled risk of Alzheimer’s
Common symptoms include:
Loud snoring or gasping
Periods of breathlessness during sleep
Constant fatigue or daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
Memory lapses and attention problems
Moodiness or irritability
Treatment: The gold standard is the CPAP machine, which provides a steady airflow to prevent airway collapse. Modern CPAP devices are now more comfortable and easy to use. Untreated sleep apnea can kill brain cells and lead to long-term, irreversible damage.
These include unusual behaviors during sleep, such as:
Sleepwalking
Night terrors
Sleep eating
Talking during sleep (somniloquy)
Confused arousals or partial awakenings
Normally, REM sleep involves temporary muscle paralysis. In this condition, individuals act out their dreams due to a lack of muscle inhibition. This can involve kicking, thrashing, or violent movement, potentially injuring themselves or others.
This sleep disorder disrupts your internal clock, often due to:
Shift work
Frequent time zone travel (jet lag)
Delayed sleep phase syndrome
Treatment may involve light therapy, melatonin, or behavioral strategies to reset sleep patterns.
Psychosis in Related Mental Health Conditions
Psychosis can also occur as a secondary symptom in several other psychiatric conditions:
- Bipolar Disorder: Individuals may experience hallucinations or delusions during manic or depressive episodes.
- Psychotic Depression: A form of major depressive disorder where psychotic features, such as delusions or hallucinations, are present.
- Postpartum Psychosis: A rare but severe perinatal mental health condition that typically emerges shortly after childbirth.
- Substance-Induced Psychosis / Dual Diagnosis: Drug or alcohol use can trigger psychotic symptoms, particularly in individuals with an underlying mental health disorder.