I have listed below, not just a list of sleep disorders, but rather a glossary of terms that are related to sleep disorders. Each term is linked to a web site with more information on the subject. Also, be sure to check out my library of links, where you'll find hundreds of pages of information.
- Anxiety disorder - An emotional disorder. A feeling of dread or anxiety about something that's happening in your life. This anxiety can lead to insomnia.
- Arousal disorder - This is a sleep disturbance that occurs during the deep, slow wave sleep. Sleep walking and night terrors are two examples. May also refer to abnormal sexual arousal.
- Bruxism - Grating or grinding of the teeth while asleep. Mostly seen in children, but can also appear in adult life. Hard on the teeth and extremely irritating to a sleeping partner.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome- Chronic fatigue syndrome is not classed as a sleep disorder, but there is a definite relationship between the two. Most sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome also suffer from one or more sleep disorders.
- Delayed sleep phase syndrome - This is a circadian rhythm disorder. The sleep pattern of people suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome is reversed to what is considered normal.These people function best during the late evening and early morning hours, and crave sleep during the day.
- Depression - This is not a sleep disorder, but, like anxiety, it can cause the onset of several sleep disorders, including, but not limited to, insomnia. Depression is a general feeling of sadness, disillusionment and worthlessness.
- Chronic fatigue syndromeFibromyalgia[/link] - Fibromyalgia is closely related to chronic fatigue syndrome, and could be described as chronic fatigue syndrome with pain. It's a disease of the joints wherein the sufferer has pain in the muscles that precludes sleep.
- Insomnia - This is the most well-known sleep disorder, the inability to fall asleep when going to bed, or, sometimes, waking up in the night and being unable to fall asleep again.
- Kleine Levin Syndrome- This syndrome is most common in adolescent males, and is characterized by a need for excessive amounts of sleep and of food coupled with an overactive sex drive. Although a moderate form of this describes all adolescent males, with Kleine Levin syndrome, the entire process goes out of control.
- Narcolepsy - An extremely debilitating disorder characterized by a frequent and uncontrollable desire for sleep. It may be accompanied by hallucination and brief periods of paralysis called catalepsy.
- Nightmares - Everyone dreams, and almost everyone suffers from the occasional nightmare, or frightening dream. Nightmares occur during REM (rapid eye movement) or light sleep.
- Night terrors - Night terrors are not nightmares, although there are similarities. Night terrors occur while the sleeper is in a very deep sleep. These episodes are truly terrifying. The sleeper awakens, usually screaming, often pale and with a rapid heartbeat. Night terrors are seldom remembered upon awakening.
