General Overview of Sleep Disorders
Thomas Roth, PhD, Henry Ford Hospital
Many people who experience excessive daytime sleepiness often are seen for a depression workup. Narcolepsy with cataplexy (loss of muscle tone) is associated with a hypocretin deficiency, and is an autoimmune disease. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in men than women, and is associated with older age and obesity; treatment is continuous positive airway pressure device. Restless leg syndrome is characterized by an irresistible urge to move, often during the evening, which can interfere with sleep and is treated with dopaminergic medications, benzodiazepines, opioids, and anticonvulsants. Periodic leg movements of sleep are characteristic leg movements that occur during sleep. Patients with REM behavior disorder act out their dreams while sleeping; treatment often is clonazepam.
