Other Sleep Disorders

Millions of children and adults struggle with symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition marked by problems with concentration, impulse control, organization, and memory. It can be a frustrating and difficult condition, stigmatizing and often isolating for those who suffer from it.

But what if some of those who’ve been diagnosed with ADHD are, in fact, suffering from another disorder altogether—a sleep disorder? That’s the provocative and important question posed in this commentary by a practicing psychiatrist with extensive ...

New research about sleepwalking has raised questions about several common beliefs regarding this frequently misunderstood sleep disorder. Researchers at the University of Montreal conducted a comprehensive review of more than 15 years of study on the topic of sleepwalking. Their analysis produced what may be a clearer picture of the sleep disorder, its possible mechanisms, and its risk factors. Their analysis also challenges some common beliefs about sleepwalking—beliefs that, if outdated, could interfere with diagnosis and treatment.

What are these views ...

John, a 25-year-old combat veteran of Afghanistan, was sent to me for sleep apnea by the local VA hospital. He was somewhat withdrawn and unemotional. As we spoke, I discovered that he had severe insomnia and recurrent nightmares. He was becoming progressively more withdrawn and there were certain places like shopping malls that he absolutely refused to go to as crowds and noise brought back stressful emotions and even flashbacks of the war. John had PTSD ...

Everyone loves to get a good night’s rest. The whole next day seems to go better and our attitude is more positive. The problem is there are many obstacles to obtaining peaceful rest at night. Are you afraid that you may have a sleep disorder? There are plenty of them out there – let’s look at the symptoms of five of the most common conditions that keep us from being well-rested.

Let’s begin with the most common sleeping problem that we ...

There has been an astounding increase in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In one study, the increase approached 800% in the past decade over the last. Is there something driving this or are we making the diagnosis too often?

We know that both childhood sleep apnea and insufficient sleep can present with symptoms indistinguishable from ADHD. These symptoms consist of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and an inability to pay attention. Because of the ...

Parasomnia in children is associated with significant daytime symptoms including headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, and mood disturbances.

Sleep disordered breathing, periodic limb movement, and mood disturbances are common comorbidities in pediatric patients with parasomnias, researchers reported here.

Among children with parasomnia, roughly half surveyed reported snoring, mood disturbances, or demonstrated signs of obstructive sleep apnea on a pediatric sleep questionnaire, according to Arveity Setty, MD, of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio, and colleagues.

Other common co-conditions with pediatric parasomnia included breathing pauses, frequent ...

Night terrors are a common sleep problem among children. By some estimates, about 15% of younger children have occasional night terrors. Although most common in children between the ages of 2 and 6 years, they can occur at almost any age.

Although usually considered to be normal or benign, they are often very scary and distressing to parents who often overreact, especially during a child’s first night terror.

Symptoms

When you hear how most experts describe night terrors, it is easy to see ...

According to the American Psychiatric Association, sleep disorders are major disturbances of normal sleep patterns that lead to distress and disrupt functioning during the day (APA, 2000). Not only are sleep disorder extremely common, affecting virtually everyone at some point in their lives, but they can also lead to serious stress and other health consequences.

According to a major survey by the National Sleep Foundation, more than half of Americans reported experiencing at least one symptoms of insomnia several times a ...

If you have ever acted out sexually while sleeping, you’re not alone. Here is a closer look into the rare and largely unknown sleep disorder know as sexsomnia.

Most people are familiar with sleepwalking, in which a person in deep sleep will get up and begin walking around the house. Another condition that occurs during the same phase of the sleep cycle is sexsomnia, in which the sleeping individual acts out sexually. Unlike sleepwalking, sexsomnia is largely unknown and misunderstood.

The ...

Sleep disorders are always a problem, but some can be downright scary. Learn about 10 of the most serious sleep issues and how you and your doctor can put a stop to the symptoms.

We all remember waking up from nightmares as children. But for some people, that fright can manifest itself in real life in the form of a scary sleep disorder.

Some of these sleep disorders are frightening for the risk that they pose to you and your loved ...