Sleep disorders, also known as sleep-wake disorders, are conditions that affect the quality, timing, and overall amount of sleep a person gets. When sleep becomes irregular, disturbed, or insufficient, it often leads to daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and reduced productivity. These disorders may occur on their own or alongside medical and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or cognitive disorders.
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, but other conditions like sleep apnea, parasomnias, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorders also affect millions of people.
Poor sleep affects both physical and emotional well-being. It can worsen underlying mental health conditions and, in some cases, be a sign of them as well. Research shows that around one-third of adults experience insomnia symptoms at some point, and 6%–10% meet the criteria for insomnia disorder.
Why Sleep Matters
Sleep is essential for maintaining good health. Our bodies generally move through three to five sleep cycles each night, which include:
REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, when most dreaming happens
Non-REM sleep, which includes lighter and deeper stages of sleep
We also follow a natural 24-hour internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, which helps regulate when we feel sleepy or awake.
According to sleep guidelines, most adults need 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night. But many people fall short—almost 30% of adults sleep fewer than six hours, and millions report poor sleep quality.
More than 50 million people worldwide live with chronic sleep disorders.
Effects of Poor Sleep and Coexisting Conditions
Good sleep supports healthy brain function, emotional balance, focus, and decision-making. When someone doesn’t sleep well, they may experience:
Fatigue
Low energy
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Mood changes
Reduced productivity
Sleep problems commonly coexist with anxiety and depression. Sometimes, poor sleep triggers these conditions; other times, they worsen existing symptoms.
Both too little and too much sleep can increase the risk of chronic health issues, including:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Cognitive decline
Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s
Conditions such as arthritis and heart failure
Insomnia Disorder
Insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Up to one-third of adults experience insomnia symptoms, and around 6%–10% meet the criteria for insomnia disorder. Nearly half of people with insomnia also have another mental health condition.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Symptoms must:
Occur at least three nights a week
Continue for three months or more
Cause distress or affect daily functioning
A doctor may rule out other sleep disorders, medical conditions, medications, and mental health concerns during diagnosis. Assessment may include:
Medical history
Physical examination
Sleep diary
Sleep study (polysomnography)
Insomnia may start at any age, but young adults often struggle with falling asleep, while older adults typically struggle with staying asleep.
Insomnia can be:
Episodic – 1 to 3 months
Persistent – 3+ months
Recurrent – occurs more than once a year
Stressful life events can also trigger insomnia episodes.
Treatment & Self-Help for Insomnia
Many sleep problems improve with healthy habits and lifestyle changes. If sleep issues persist or impact daily life, medical evaluation is recommended.
Chronic insomnia is often treated with a combination of behavioral therapies and, when needed, medication. Common approaches include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Short-term sleep medications (used under supervision)
Certain antidepressants
Over-the-counter sleeping pills often contain antihistamines. They are not addictive but may cause side effects, especially in older adults.
Complementary approaches that some people find helpful include:
Relaxation exercises
Melatonin (short-term use may help certain types of insomnia)
Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness
Massage
Acupuncture
Herbal supplements often lack strong research support and may carry safety risks. Always inform your doctor about any supplements you take.
Sleep Hygiene: Healthy Sleep Tips
Good sleep hygiene can significantly improve sleep quality:
Maintain a fixed sleep and wake-up schedule
Create a calming pre-sleep routine
Avoid screens before bed
Limit daytime naps
Exercise regularly
Keep your room quiet, dark, and cool
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals in the evening
Use comfortable bedding
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These episodes can lead to loud snoring, gasping, or choking sensations. The condition leads to fragmented sleep, resulting in daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
A sleep study helps diagnose sleep apnea by measuring breathing patterns, airflow, oxygen levels, and sleep stages.
Risk factors include:
Obesity
Male gender
Older age
Family history
Treatment may involve:
Weight loss
Sleeping on your side
Custom dental devices
CPAP therapy, which keeps airways open during sleep
Central Sleep Apnea
Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain temporarily stops sending signals to regulate breathing. It is more common in older adults and people with heart disorders or those taking opioid pain medications. Treatment often includes CPAP or other breathing devices.
Sleep-Related Hypoventilation
This condition involves shallow breathing at night, low oxygen levels, and elevated carbon dioxide levels. It often coexists with medical conditions such as COPD or hypothyroidism or may be caused by certain medications. Symptoms include insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness.
NREM Sleep Arousal Disorders
These disorders happen during incomplete awakenings from deep sleep and may involve:
Sleepwalking
Sleep terrors
They typically occur in childhood and decrease with age. Sleepwalking affects up to 5% of people, while night terrors are more common in young children.
Nightmare Disorder
Individuals with nightmare disorder experience vivid, disturbing dreams that cause intense fear or anxiety. These nightmares usually occur in the second half of sleep and often lead to awakening with clear memory of the dream.
Nightmare disorder is most common in late adolescence and early adulthood.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
This disorder involves acting out dreams during REM sleep—shouting, talking, kicking, or running movements. It mostly affects males over 50 and may lead to injuries. People often recall the disturbing dream upon waking.
Hypersomnolence Disorder
People with this condition feel excessively sleepy despite getting at least seven hours of sleep. Symptoms include:
Frequent daytime lapses into sleep
Sleeping more than nine hours with no refreshed feeling
Difficulty waking up
It usually begins in late teens or early adulthood.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy involves sudden sleep attacks or overwhelming daytime sleepiness. People may also experience cataplexy—brief loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotions. It is a rare condition and usually begins in childhood or young adulthood.
Restless Legs Syndrome
This condition creates an urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations like tingling or crawling feelings. Symptoms worsen during rest, improve with movement, and occur mainly in the evening or nighttime. It can disrupt sleep and cause daytime tiredness.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
In these disorders, a person’s internal body clock doesn’t align with the day-night cycle. This misalignment can be due to:
Natural differences in body clock
Shift-work schedules
Jet lag
This leads to difficulty sleeping at normal times and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Conclusion
Sleep disorders can significantly impact mood, energy levels, productivity, and long-term health. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can transform your overall well-being. If you struggle with ongoing sleep issues, poor sleep quality, or daytime tiredness, seeking help early is important.
For professional guidance and personalised treatment, Dr. Vatsal Suchak offers comprehensive evaluation and evidence-based care to help you restore healthy sleep and live with better balance, focus, and energy.
FAQs
Difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, loud snoring, morning fatigue, daytime sleepiness, irritability, and problems concentrating are common symptoms.
If sleep issues last more than a few weeks, affect your mood or work, cause daytime tiredness, or involve snoring or breathing pauses, you should seek medical care.
Short-term use under medical supervision can help, but many sleep medications can be habit-forming or cause side effects. They should not be taken without guidance.