Sleep and Clinical Practice

Sleep (Kryger et al., 2005)

A reversible behavioural state of perceptual

disengagement from and unresponsiveness to the environment.

NREM Sleep

A phase of the sleep cycle characterised by a decrease in physiological processes like heart rate and brain activity, involving three stages (N1, N2, and N3) that move from light to deep sleep.

REM Sleep

A stage of sleep where dreams occur, brain activity becomes high, and muscles are temporarily paralyzed to prevent acting out dreams.

Melatonin

Hormone made in the pineal gland in your brain. It helps to control your body's sleep pattern and sleep–wake cycle.

Parasomnias

Abnormal behaviours during sleep.

Sleepwalking or somnambulism (NREM)

A sleep disorder in which a person gets up and performs actions like walking or complex tasks while still asleep,

Sleep/Night Terrors (NREM)

Where a person partially awakens from sleep in a state of intense fear, screaming or crying, and exhibiting symptoms of panic like a racing heart and sweating.

Sleep Related Eating Disorder (NREM)

Causes you to eat while you’re asleep. You often have little or no memory of eating the next day.

REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (REM)

A sleep disorder where people physically act out their dreams due to a lack of muscle paralysis during REM sleep, potentially leading to injury.

Nightmares (REM)

A frightening or unpleasant dream.

Sleep Paralysis (REM)

A temporary inability to move or speak that occurs while falling asleep or waking up.

Sleep Talking or Somniloquy

A sleep disorder where a person vocalizes during sleep, ranging from single words or phrases to complex conversations, without being aware of doing so.

Bedwetting or Nocturnal Enuresis

Involuntary urination at night.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Sleep Apnoea

Breathing interruptions during sleep.

Circadian Related Sleep Disorders (CRSD)

Conditions where your internal "body clock" is out of sync with the natural day-night cycle, disrupting your ability to sleep and wake at the times you need to for work, school, or social life.