Sleep disorders include problems in the quality, time, and amount of sleep that lead to daytime distress and dysfunction. Sleep-wake disorders often co-occur with medical or other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or cognitive impairment. There are different types of sleep and wakefulness disorders, of which insomnia is the most common. Other sleep and wakefulness disorders include obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. Sleep problems are related to physical and emotional problems. In the video below, you can see the necessary explanations about sleep disorders.

What is a sleep disorder? Sleep disorder is any change or abnormality in the normal sleep pattern that leads to a decrease in the quality or quantity of sleep. These disorders may include difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, or feeling tired and sleepy during the day. Sleep disorders may be temporary or occur for chronic and stable reasons in a person and negatively affect their daily functioning and quality of life. For the treatment of sleep disorder, you can visit Mehrbad Clinic, the best psychiatric clinic in Tehran. **Types of sleep disorders** Types of sleep disorders include: ### **Insomnia:** This type of sleep disorder involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, or caffeine consumption. If this condition becomes chronic, it can increase the risk of heart disease and depression. ### **Sleep Apnea:** Sleep apnea is a type of breathing disorder in which a person has short-term pauses in breathing during sleep. This disorder may lead to loud snoring, frequent awakenings, and daily fatigue. Treatment usually involves the use of a CPAP machine or surgery. ### **Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD):** This disorder involves involuntary movement of the legs or arms during sleep, which may cause frequent awakenings. This condition is often associated with restless leg syndrome. ### **Narcolepsy:** This rare disorder causes severe daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks. Narcolepsy is usually caused by neurological problems and disruption of the sleep-wake cycle. ### **Circadian Rhythm Disorder:** This disorder occurs when the body's internal clock does not match the sleep and wake time of the environment. Problems caused by shift work or long flights are common causes of this disorder. ### **Nightmare and night terror disorders:** Nightmares and night terrors can reduce the quality of sleep and make a person feel stressed. These problems are often more common in children, but they can also occur in adults Read more: Immigration psychology test What are the symptoms of sleep disorder? Sleep disorder symptoms can vary in severity and type of disorder, but some common symptoms of sleep disorders include: - Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep: difficulty starting to fall asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, early morning awakenings, or unpleasant and unpleasant sleep. - Fatigue during the day: feeling tired and sleepy during the day, even after enough sleep. - Excessive desire to nap during the day: more need to eat snacks, sweets or stimulants such as coffee or nicotine in order to wake up and increase energy. - Irritability or anxiety: increased anxiety, anger, mental confusion and irritability during the day. - Lack of concentration: difficulty in concentrating, reduced ability to solve problems and perform daily tasks. - Depression: feeling depressed, loss of appetite and reduced motivation during the day. **Causes of sleep disorder** The causes of sleep disorder are: - Psychological factors**:** Stress, anxiety and depression are the main causes of sleep disorders. - Physical factors: chronic diseases, muscle pains and respiratory disorders can cause insomnia. - Lifestyle: high consumption of caffeine, shift work, or use of electronic devices before sleep can disturb the sleep pattern. **Diagnosis of sleep disorder** Diagnosing a sleep disorder requires careful examination of the patient's symptoms and special tests. First, the doctor asks the patient questions about sleep pattern, sleep duration, sleepiness during the day and related symptoms such as snoring, frequent awakenings or involuntary movements in sleep. Also, the patient may be asked to keep a daily sleep diary to record detailed information about his sleep habits. This basic information can help identify the type of disorder and its severity. In cases where the basic information is not enough or the disorders seem more complex, the doctor may recommend a night sleep study (polysomnography). This test includes recording of brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, blood oxygen level and breathing patterns of the patient during sleep. This method is especially useful for diagnosing disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or sleep movement disorders. Also, in some cases, other tests such as the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) are used to assess severe sleepiness or check for symptoms of narcolepsy. In addition to physical tests, psychological evaluations may also be necessary because some sleep disorders, such as insomnia or nightmares, are often associated with psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression. A psychiatrist or psychologist can help identify psychological triggers by conducting psychological interviews and tests. Finally, the accurate diagnosis of sleep disorder requires the cooperation of the patient, the doctor and the use of advanced diagnostic tools in order to choose the right way to treat the sleep disorder. **Perspective of a person suffering from sleep disorder** People with sleep disorders may face many problems in their daily life if they are not treated on time. These problems include reduced work performance, disruption of social relationships, and increased risk of physical and mental illnesses. However, the outlook for treating these disorders is usually positive, provided that the patient sees a doctor and receives appropriate treatment. Treatment may include psychological counseling, lifestyle modifications, or specific medications.