B3b1 Psychological Sleep Disorders Flashcards
Types of sleep disorders
Primary and secondary sleep disorders, which can be put into insomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disorders and parasomnias
Side effects of lack of REM sleep
Disorientation, memory difficulties, illusions and paranoia
Insomnia
The most common sleep disorder, which means someone cannot got to sleep or cannot stay asleep. It is diagnosed if the lack of sleep is affecting someone’s activities in the day. It is more common as people get older.
Causes of insomnia
Prescribed drugs, other mental illnesses, stressful life events.
Treatments for insomnia
Prescribed drugs, teaching the sufferer to relax (hypnotherapy) and to focus on positive thoughts when going to bed (cognitive behavioural therapy)
Hypersomnia
Problems with sleeping too much. When people feel sleepy at all times.
Causes of hypersomnia
Some conditions, eg narcolepsy, breathing problems, not sleeping properly at night
Circadian rhythm disorders
Problems with the body’s 24 hour sleep-wake cycle.
Sleep-wake cycle
The pattern of sleeping at night and being awake in the day over a regular 24 hour period.
Sleep cycle
The nightly pattern of about five waves of different sleep stages.
Causes of circadian rhythm disorders
People going to bed at different times, e.g when people have different shifts at work. Some have no obvious explanation. Using bright lights at certain times can reset the body clock.
Parasomnias
Problems during sleep or when a person is asleep, such as nightmares, sleep-walking and sleep terrors.
Treatments of Parasomnias
Drugs such as benzodiazepines, psychotherapy and relaxation therapy/ hypnotherapy.
Side effects of REM sleep behaviour disorders (RBD)
Violent movements and language (no movement inhibition).
