Sleep disorders - Circadian Rhythm Phase Disorder

Question 1

What is a Circadian Rhythm Phase Disorder?

Answer 1

a disruption in ones sleep-wake cycle that causes sleeping issues

individual cannot sleep when needed/desired

Question 2

What are the 3 circadian phase disorders?

Answer 2

Adolescence Cycle ‘Shift’

Shift Work

Jet Lag

Question 3

What factors can cause sleep disruption?

Answer 3

Naturally occurring biological malfunctions

Mismatch in biological sleep-wake cycle compared to work/school timelines

Mismatch in biological cycle and environments day/night cycle

Question 4

What is a limitation of using hypnograms?

Answer 4

when measuring ones sleep it is done in clinic environments

the participants sleep pattern will not be normal and can disturb data

Question 5

What problems does insufficient sleep cause in adolescents?

Answer 5

harder to concentrate, think and learn

sleepiness

emotional/behavioural mood swings

inattentive and unmotivated

Question 6

What biological influences happen in an adolescents sleep?

Answer 6

Melatonin secretion peaks later in the 24-hour cycle for adolescents, it makes the adolescent sleepier 1 to 2 hours later than normal

This change in the timing is known as a ‘sleep–wake cycle shift’ , it affects an adolescent’s ability to fall asleep at the earlier times

Question 7

What is a ‘Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder’ ?

Answer 7

a 1-2 hour set back in the sleep pattern, seen in adolescents

meaning teens feel sleepy later into the night that other ages

Question 8

What is ‘Sleep Debt’ ?

Answer 8

The ‘owed’ amount of sleep

Difference between amount of sleep required and amount of sleep had

Question 9

What psychological influences happen in adolescent sleep?

Answer 9

Teens like to rebel or be independent

usually results in going to bed later because sleeping early is ‘childish’

Question 10

What social influences effect adolescent sleep?

Answer 10

Adolescents have a 1-2 hr shift and sleep later

however school/work/homework/partying can get in the way

this results in having a harder time getting up in the morning

Question 11

What is shift work?

Answer 11

a job that requires one to work at abnormal hours

these jobs can be overnight, super early, or super late

Question 12

Why is an overnight shift job bad for sleep?

Answer 12

the quantity and quality of sleep is worse

lots of sleep debt is accumulated

the circadian rhythm is disrupted because we’re supposed to sleep at night

Question 13

What side effects occur when working shifts?

Answer 13

excessive napping or sleeping twice a day

its more difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep, won’t sleep as deeply

workers will go to daytime routines on days off, disrupting cycle further

moods and satisfaction will also be more unpredictable

Question 14

What impaired performances can occur from shift work?

Answer 14

reduced awareness

compromised reaction time and cognition

can be unsafe when functioning on low sleep

Question 15

Why are rotating shift schedules bad for sleep cycles?

Answer 15

rotating shift workers have more sleep disturbances

fixed schedules allow for routines to be put in place

Question 16

What is jet lag?

Answer 16

a sleep cycle disturbance caused by rapid travel between time zones

mismatch between biological clock and environment (because body is used to timezone at home, not new location)

Question 17

What are the effects of jet lag?

Answer 17

Sleep problems
Feeling unwell
Sleepiness
Reduced daytime alertness
Impaired concentration
Digestive problems

Question 18

What effects doe jet lag have on sleep cycles?

Answer 18

Greater number of arousals
Greater percentage of NREM Stage 1 during first 2-3 sleep episodes
Second half of sleep is disrupted

Question 19

Why is travelling west better?

Answer 19

‘following the sun’ day is lengthened

results in less difference between timezones and biological cycle

Question 20

Why is travelling east worse?

Answer 20

Goes away from the sun, day is shortened

results in much larger difference between time zones and biological cycle

Question 21

What ways help overcome jet lag?

Answer 21

While in transit environmental cues can be made to match the destination times

eg. flight attendants will feed you at all hours to match destination eating times

minimises the effects of jet lag on arrival