Sleep Disorders

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the quality, timing or amount of sleep, leading to daytime distress or difficulty functioning. Common sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia: trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and not getting back to sleep.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: repeated pauses in breathing during sleep.
• Restless legs syndrome: an uncomfortable urge to move the legs, usually in the evening.
• Circadian rhythm disorders: when your internal clock is out of sync with your schedule.
• Narcolepsy: excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep episodes.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include difficulty sleeping, waking unrefreshed, daytime sleepiness, irritability and trouble concentrating. These symptoms can occur with sleep disorders, but only a qualified professional can provide a diagnosis.

Sleep and mental health

Sleep problems are common in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD and ADHD, and poor sleep can make these conditions worse. Read more about how sleep and mental health are connected.

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional will ask about your sleep patterns, often using a sleep diary. For suspected sleep apnea or some other conditions, a sleep study may be recommended.

Treatment

• CBT for insomnia (CBT-I): recommended as a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults.
• Treating underlying causes: such as sleep apnea, pain, or mental health conditions.
• Medication: sometimes used short-term or in specific situations. See sleep medications.

Self-care

Keep consistent sleep and wake times, get daylight in the morning, limit caffeine after midday, keep your bedroom dark and cool, and avoid lying in bed awake for long periods. Our sleep guide has more practical tips.