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Sleep Disorders can drive you buggy! The good news is that all sleep disorders have good treatment outcomes. The initial hurdle, however, is in identifying which sleep disorder you may have. This can be quite complex as there's 14 different types of sleep disorders. Below I will attempt to give beginning definitions to each of the sleep disorders to help you get your bearings.
(Dyssomnias)
Primary Insomnia
Difficulty getting to or staying asleep or resting well while sleeping. Duration of at least 1 month.
Primary Hypersomnia
Excessive sleep or napping occurring for at least 1 month.
Narcolepsy
Sudden onset of sleep at inappropriate times and places occurring for at least 3 months.
Breathing-Related Sleep Disorder (Sleep Apnea)
Breathing difficulty during sleeping hours which interrupts the restful deep sleep cycle.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder (e.g., jet lag)
The bodies natural sleep rhythm is on one setting but the clocks around you are on a different one.
Dyssomnia Not Otherwise Specified
Sleep disturbance for other reasons than those listed above (e.g., not sleeping due to noise, light or other frequent interruptions)
(Parasomnias)
Nightmare Disorder
Repeatedly waking up from nightmares during the deep sleep cycle with vivid memory of nightmares.
Sleep Terror Disorder
Appears to be an abrupt awakening during the early sleep cycle, but the individual is not really awake even though they appear to be. Best to leave them alone until the settle back into a restful sleep.
Sleepwalking Disorder
Rising from bed and walking around during the 1st third of the sleep cycle.
Parasomnia Not Otherwise Specified
Behavioral disturbances during the sleep cycle that do not match any of the last three disorders above.
Insomnia Related To...
Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Adjustment Disorders etc.
Hypersomnia Related To...
Again, Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Adjustment Disorders etc.
Sleep Disorders Related to a General Medical Condition
Substance-Induced Sleep Disorder
Sleep disorder occurring as a symptom from withdrawal to a drug or medicine or as a side-effect.
If you or a loved one has struggled with a sleep disorder for a lengthy period of time it may effect personality and you may begin to wonder if you have a personality disorder. Rest assured that once the sleep disorder is dealt with that personality shifts, including mood problems almost always take care of themselves. With an ongoing sleep disorder it is normal to experience depression, which may or may not require separate treatment.