7.4 Circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Question 1

Define circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Answer 1

A sleep disorder involving sleep disturbance that is primarily due to a mismatch between an individual’s sleep–wake pattern and the pattern that is desired or required

Question 2

Define shift work disorder

Answer 2

A circadian rhythm sleep disorder due to work shifts being regularly scheduled during the usual sleep period; work shifts overlap with all or part of the sleep period, requiring adjustment of sleep and wake times to the work times.

Question 3

Define bright light therapy

Answer 3

A technique for treating circadian rhythm sleep disorders that uses timed exposure of the eyes to light with the aim of shifting an individual’s sleep-wake cycle to a desired, more appropriate or conventional schedule

Question 4

List some negative affects of shift work on workers

Answer 4

• Difficult to achieve adequate sleep - Due to consistent changes in routines
• Typically accumulate sleep debt.
• More likely to sleep twice throughout the day
• Night shift workers have daily duties such as school drop offs, therefore sleep less than they would at night.
• Excessive sleepiness on the job, at risk of workplace injuries due to potential cognitive errors.
• Night shift workers are prone to road traffic incidents after long night shifts and tired behind the wheel.