Sleep Disorders

This article examines common sleep disorders and provides an overview of symptoms, causes, and complications, along with treatment and management options to help improve sleep.

Key Takeaways:

• Sleep disorders are one of the most common health problems, affecting millions of people worldwide. Of these, the most common one is insomnia.
• Sleep disorders are often seen as “24/7” problems because they not only affect the individual at night, but also cause impairments in daytime functioning, mood, and overall well-being.
• Therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes are often helpful in treating sleep disorders. The exact treatment plan depends on the specific sleep disorder involved.

Understanding Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are conditions characterized by disruptions in sleep quality, duration, and/or timing (i.e. sleep-wake rhythm), Common symptoms of sleep disorders include difficulty falling asleep, frequent nightly awakenings, and feeling unrefreshed after sleep.

Sleep disorders also commonly lead to daytime issues, such as lethargy, irritability, and impaired physical and mental performance, which often makes them “24/7” concern. They can occur in any age group, although the symptoms may differ between children and adults.

Many people struggle with sleep occasionally. But sleep disorders represent chronic and significant sleep disturbances that greatly impact well-being and functioning, sometimes leading to disability.

How Prevalent are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are quite common in society. An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder, and around 50% of older adults worldwide suffer from sleep problems in general.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, with a prevalence rate of 10%. Yet, up to one-third of all adults report insomnia symptoms of some kind. ^{[1] [2]}

In regard to gender, insomnia rates are roughly 1.5 times higher in women than men, and restless leg syndrome is twice as common in women than men. However, men are two times more likely than women to experience sleep-disordered breathing. ^{[1] [2]}

Types of Sleep Disorders

There are many types of sleep disorders, which the International Classification of Sleep Disorders groups into six broad categories: ^{[1] [3]}

• Insomnia
• Sleep-disordered breathing
• Central disorders of hypersomnolence
• Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders
• Parasomnias
• Sleep-related movement disorders

Insomnia

Insomnia involves trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep, which are termed sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia, respectively. Insomnia is also identified as either acute or chronic.

Individuals with insomnia may take a while to fall asleep, wake up throughout the night, and/or have a hard time falling back asleep after awakening.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Sleep-disordered breathing involves breathing issues that impact sleep. Examples of specific types include:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Central sleep apnea
• Sleep-related hypoventilation

Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence

Central disorders of hypersomnolence are characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, without disruptions in sleep quality or timing. Examples include:

• Narcolepsy
• Idiopathic hypersomnia

Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders are characterized by disruptions in the circadian-rhythm, which is an internal mechanism that helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. These disorders include:

• Advanced sleep-wake phase disorder
• Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder
• Jet lag disorder
• Non-24-hour sleep wake rhythm disorder

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are sleep disorders that involve abnormal behaviors, experiences, or sensations during sleep. Some of these disorders are:

• Non-rapid eye movement (NREM)-related parasomnias
• Sleep walking
• Sleep terrors
• Rapid-eye movement (REM)-related parasomnias
• REM sleep behavior disorder
• Nightmare disorder

Sleep-related Movement Disorders

Sleep-related movement disorders are characterized by abnormal movements during sleep that often result in sleep disturbances. Examples include:

• Restless legs syndrome
• Periodic limb movement disorder

What Causes Sleep Disorders?

There are many possible causes of sleep disorders. The exact causes are sometimes unknown, and they differ depending on the exact type of sleep disorder involved.

Examples of possible causes of sleep disorders include: ^{[1] [3] [4]}

• Genetic factors
• Mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression
• High stress levels
• Hyperarousal/differences in brain activity
• Side effects of medication
• Effects from substance use (e.g. caffeine, nicotine, alcohol)
• Night shift work
• Medical conditions (e.g. brain and nerve conditions, heart disease, chronic pain)
• Obesity/overweight
• Natural sleep-wake cycle problems
• Environmental disruptors, such as noise, bright light, or extreme temperatures

Prevention of Sleep Disorders

Not all sleep disorders can be prevented, particularly if there are biological or medical causes. However, there are many steps you can take to lower your risk, such as:

• Addressing anxiety, stress, or mental health issues
• Treatment for medical conditions, if present
• Sleep hygiene practices (e.g. maintaining a regular sleep schedule, sleeping in a cool, dark, quiet room, etc.)
• These are discussed in more detail in a later section

Risks and Complications

Sleep is foundational for overall health and function. Thus, sleep disorders often pose many risks and complications.

One of the more obvious complications is impaired daytime functioning. Sleep loss from sleep disorders can cause trouble concentrating, irritability, fatigue, and lack of energy. It affects memory, decision-making, and cognitive performance, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. ^{[1] [5]}

There are many mental health complications from sleep disorders too. Many individuals with sleep disturbances experience anxiety, depression, mood changes, behavioral problems, and other mental health disruptions. 15 to 20 percent of individuals with insomnia also have major depression, and sleep disorders are likely both a cause and effect of depression and other mental health issues. ^[5]

Sleep disorders also pose a risk for physical health problems. Lack of sleep is associated with increased risk of obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. ^{[3] [5]}

Diagnosing Sleep Disorders

Diagnosing sleep disorders involves a detailed history, assessment of sleep habits, and physical exam. It may also involve additional measures, such as a sleep study.

Your doctor will gather initial information from your medical, family, and social history, along with information about your sleep habits, work schedule, medication list, and other important factors that may be related to the sleep concerns. A physical exam can provide more details into possible causes.

Assessments and Tests for Sleep Disorders

Your doctor may implement various tests during the physical exam to help identify specific causes. Tests may include:

• Blood tests
• Imaging tests
• Neurological exam

There are many other tests and assessments that may be used to help diagnose sleep disorders. Examples include: ^[1]

• Epworth sleepiness scale: This is an 8-item questionnaire that measures the presence and degree of sleepiness.
• Insomnia severity index: This is the most widely-accepted tool for measuring and monitoring insomnia. It consists of 7 items that measure insomnia severity and its overall effects.
• Sleep diary: A sleep diary (or sleep log) is used to document and track sleep-wake patterns. Details often included are bedtime, time to fall asleep, total sleep duration, number of awakenings, and duration of awakenings. This is done for at least several weeks.
• Sleep studies: These are carried out by a sleep specialist and are particularly useful when causes of sleep disorders are initially unknown or uncertain. The most common one is polysomnography, which uses various monitoring devices to measure important components during sleep, such as sleep stages, respiratory effort, and limb movements.
• Actigraphy: This involves the use of an actigraph, which is worn on the wrist like a watch. This device measures movement during sleep and can help indicate sleep-wake disorder issues.

Treatment Options for Sleep Disorders

Treatment for sleep disorders depends on the specific sleep disorder involved. The most common treatment options for sleep disorders are therapy, medication, and lifestyle/habit modifications.

Therapy

Therapy for sleep disorders can involve psychotherapy (talk therapy) as well as behavioral therapy. One of the most well-studied and effective therapies for sleep disorders is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

CBT-I focuses on addressing and correcting specific thoughts and behavior patterns that are contributing to sleep issues, such as spending too much time in bed, or anxiety about not sleeping. Over time, CBT-I helps to lessen anxiety and distress, in turn promoting better sleep quality and sleep efficiency. ^[1]

Other therapies that may be used for sleep disorders include: ^{[1] [5]}

• Sleep restriction therapy: Limiting the time spent in bed and gradually increasing it over time, to improve sleep efficiency.
• Stimulus control therapy: Only using the bedroom for sleep, and only going to bed when actually sleepy.
• Light-phase shift therapy: This therapy exposes individuals to bright light to help reset the circadian rhythm. It’s mainly used for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders.

Medication

There are several possible medications for sleep disorders, depending on the exact type and severity of the sleep disorder.

Commonly used medications for insomnia include: ^{[1] [3] [5]}

• Benzodiazepines
• e.g. Flurazepam, temazepam
• Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics
• e.g zolpidem, eszopiclone
• Melatonin receptor agonists
• e.g. ramelteon
• Orexin receptor antagonists
• e.g suvorexant

Antihistamines, sedating antidepressants, and antipsychotics may also be used in certain cases, but these are not as well-studied and typically aren’t the first ones administered.

There are also many other possible medications for other sleep disorders too. For example: ^{[1] [5]}

• Narcolepsy may be treated with modafinil or amphetamine-like stimulants
• Medications for restless legs syndrome include:
• Dopaminergic agents (this is the primary treatment option)
• Anticonvulsants
• Benzodiazepines
• Opioids (in severe cases)

Alternative Options for Treatment

In addition to the various therapies and medications, there are a number of alternative treatment options for sleep disorders, such as relaxation techniques, herbal medicines, and melatonin.

Examples of relaxation techniques include deep breathing, body scanning, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. These may help calm the mind and body to promote better sleep. ^{[1] [6]}

Some individuals also implement mind-body techniques, such as yoga or tai chi, as well as physical techniques, such as massage or acupuncture. These have limited evidence but may be helpful for some people. ^[6]

Several herbs may also help with relaxation and sleep, such as lemon balm, valerian, chamomile, saffron, and lavender. These aren’t recommended as first-line treatments, but may help some individuals, particularly in milder cases.

Lastly, melatonin may be useful for improving sleep, particularly in cases of jet lag or night shift work. However, the safety of long-term use is unknown. ^[6]

Living with Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders can often affect many other areas of your life, which is why it’s important to seek help as soon as you can. In addition to professional treatments, there are some things you can do on your own to improve your living ability and function.

First, it’s important to educate yourself on the specific sleep disorder you have. Ask your healthcare provider any questions you have. They can often send you information packets, so you can better understand the disorder. Other tips include:

• Seek support from family and friends
• Try to be easy on yourself
• Focus on small goals during the day

Improving Your Sleep Patterns

You can also improve your sleep patterns through specific behaviors and habits, which is called sleep hygiene. Specific sleep hygiene tips include: ^{[1] [2] [3]}

• Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up time
• This includes the weekends
• Try to do this even on nights when you don’t sleep well
• Sleep in a cool, quiet, dark room
• Consider a fan, blackout curtains, ear plugs, eye mask, and noise machines/apps
• Avoid heavy meals too close to bedtime (ideally more than three hours)
• Avoid intense exercise within a few hours before bed
• Get exposed to bright light in the morning
• Use the bed for only sleep and sex
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, particularly in the evening
• Turn off electronic devices at least an hour before bed
• Wind down with reading, meditation, a warm bath, or another calming activity

Author

Jack Cincotta

Jack Cincotta holds a M.S. degree in Psychology. He is also a board-certified holistic health practitioner through AADP and an AFPA-certified holistic health coach and nutritionist.

Activity History - Last updated: March 19, 2026, Published date: March 19, 2026

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Reviewer

Kaye SmithPhD

Dr. Smith is a behavioral health coach, clinician, writer, and educator with over 15 years of experience in psychotherapy, coaching, teaching, and writing.

Activity History - Medically reviewed on April 6, 2026 and last checked on March 19, 2026