Physiological and Psychologica

A detailed Summary of Physiological and Psychologica

Sleep is a biological function that remains a mystery. Diagnosing sleep disturbance and its cause is the most important step in restoring healthy sleep, but there is little agreement, even among experts, on the best methods for effectively assessing a patient's sleep disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) groups sleep disorders into two major categories, Dyssomnias and Parasomnias. Problems with sleep are diagnosed at a Sleep Disorder Center.

One of the major categories of sleep disorders from the DSM is Dyssomnias. They are characterized by disturbances in the amount, quality and timing of sleep. Dyssomnias are divided into five separate categories, Insomnia, Primary Hypersomnia, Narcolepsy, Breathing Related Sleep Disorder, and Circadian Rhythm Sleep (Greene, p.369).

Insomnia, derives from the Latin in meaning "not" or without" and somnus meaning, "sleep" (Greene, p.369). Occasional bouts of insomnia are normal, especially during times of stress. Symptoms of insomnia include inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night, waking up earlier than usual, and daytime fatigue (http://www.content.health.msn.com/). Nine to fifteen percent of adults complain of chronic fatig

Sleepwalking Disorder involves repeated episodes in which the sleeper arises from bed and walks about the house while remaining fully asleep. Sleepwalking is common in children. It is believed between 10 to 30% of children have had at least one episode. The causes remain obscure although both genetic and environmental factors are believed to be involved. Sleepwalkers are generally unresponsive to others and difficult to awaken. They normally have little if any recall of the experience. There is no basis to the belief that it is harmful to sleepwalkers to awaken them during episodes (Greene.p.372). The biggest danger posed by sleepwalking if injury through falls or other mishaps (http://www.findarticles.com/).

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Breathing-Related Sleep Disorder is when one experiences repeated disruptions of sleep due to respiratory problems. Obstructive sleep apnea, Greek a meaning "not, without" and pneuma meaning "breath," is the most common type which involves repeated episodes of either complete or partial obstruction of breathing during sleep (Greene, p.370). Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, snorting, gasping sounds when you sleep, restless sleep, or headaches in the morning (http://www.content.health.msn.com/). Apnea is more common in men, especially middle-aged men. It is also more common among obese.

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Approximate Word count = 1079
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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