UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

MARACAS ROYAL ROAD, MARACAS, ST. JOSEPH.

P.O.B 175, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I.

ASSIGNMENT WEEK 6:1- Sleep Disorders

An Assignment
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
PSYC460-01 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior

INSTRUCTOR: - Vanessa Samlalsingh

By

Saralee Sookoo

Date
October 22, 2023

Approval……………….
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Sleep Disorders

Narcolepsy

Sleep attacks, or sudden periods of sleep during waking hours are a hallmark of

narcolepsy, which may be caused by genetics and the death of brain cells in the hypothalamus

that generate the chemical that regulates wakefulness (Nevid et al., 2018). A person experiences

a sleep attack when they unintentionally fall asleep without warning and wakes up after roughly

15 minutes. Narcolepsy is also characterized by an almost instantaneous transition from awake to

rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is typically linked with dreaming.

Circadian Rhythm

A cycle or internal rhythm known as the circadian rhythm, which lasts around 24 hours,

governs the majority of biological processes. Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders are

characterized by irregular cycles of sleep and awakening (Nevid et al., 2018). This is typically a

result of work-related schedule changes or time zone adjustments that interfere with the body's

typical sleep-wake sequence.

Breathing-related Sleep Disorders

Breathing-related sleep-wake disorders frequently entail recurring episodes of brief

pauses in breathing while asleep and are associated with daytime tiredness (Nevid et al., 2018).

The most prevalent kind of breathing-related sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea

syndrome, frequently results from respiratory issues that prevent the ability to breathe normally

while sleeping.
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Sleep Apnea

The breathing-related sleep problem called sleep apnea is characterized by frequent bouts

of gasping or snorting for air, pauses of breath, or breathing that is unusually shallow . In one

night of sleep, a person may cease breathing for up to 500 times. When breathing is interrupted

or stopped, loud snoring may alternate with brief silences (Nevid et al., 2018).

Rebound Insomnia

Insomnia is characterized by a pattern of issues falling asleep or staying asleep. It is

frequently accompanied by anxious feelings and worry, particularly performance anxiety

triggered as a result of excessive stress about lacking a sufficient amount of sleep. Rebound

insomnia is a worsened case of the initial insomnia due to the discontinuation of the sleep

medications used for its treatment. This can be avoided or reduced by gradually decreasing the

dosage of the medication instead of an abrupt discontinuation (Nevid et al., 2018).

Hypersomnia

A pattern of extreme daytime drowsiness is known as hypersomnia. While many of us

occasionally experience daytime sleepiness and may even nod off while engaged in reading or

watching TV, those who suffer from hypersomnolence disorder experience frequent episodes of

sleepiness that can be distressing or interfere with daily activities. The illness may be caused by a

problem with the brain's sleep-wake procedures, and it is frequently treated with stimulant

medicine to assist the patient maintain daytime alertness. According to a new finding, a

substance produced in the brain may function as a natural sleeping aid in some cases of
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hypersomnia by boosting the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric

acid), which makes people feel sleepy (Nevid et al., 2018).

Treatments for Sleep Disorders

Anti-anxiety medication is the most commonly used method of treating sleep-wake

disorders. However, due to the risk of psychological and/or physical dependency, among other

issues, usage of these medications should be restricted in duration. For individuals with chronic

insomnia, cognitive-behavioral therapies have become the preferred course of intervention.

Common approaches employed by cognitive-behavioral therapists include stimuli control,

establishing a standard sleep–wake cycle, relaxation training, and rational restructuring (Nevid et

al., 2018).
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References

Nevid, J. S., Rathus, S. A., & Greene, B. (2018). Abnormal psychology in a Changing World

(10th ed.). Pearson.