Insomnia vs Narcolepsy

narcolepsy

a condition in which a person cannot control the ability to sleep or stay awake

• People often fall asleep during the day. 

• Shortly after sleeping, the body immediately enters the REM stage. 

• This condition is usually responsive to treatment. 

• serious and disruptive

• caused by low levels of orexin

symptoms of narcolepsy

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Sudden muscle weakness (the REM stage paralysis limbs) 

• Sleep-related hallucinations 

• Sleep paralysis

  • There are many other symptoms that may or may not exist in people with Narcolepsy. 

• automatic movements- often fall asleep, but may keep moving parts of their body like their hands

• amnesia or forgetfulness- common for people with this condition to not remember what they were doing right before falling asleep

• sudden outbursts around sleep attacks- may suddenly speak up or say something (usually words or phrases that are nonsensical or unrelated to what’s happening around them). When someone with narcolepsy does this, it might startle them back to being fully awake, but most people who do this also don’t remember doing it.

cataplexy

• Not everyone with narcolepsy experience this

• This disorder causes the sudden muscle weakness seen in Narcolepsy. similar to how your body blocks movements during REM sleep

types of sleepers

• Early births —> Early Risers

• Night owl —> Late risers

• Short sleepers

• Learned Sleep Differences

  • Perhaps a job cause someone to wake up/go to sleep earlier/later. 

• Natural Changes in Sleep Patterns

  • As people get older, they require less sleep. 

insomnia

Having trouble falling asleep/staying asleep

• May cause sleep deprivation and delay function as a whole.  

types:

• Acute (short term)

• Chronic (long-term, known as insomnia disorder)

• Primary

  • Nothing is causing the Insomnia; happening on its own

•  Secondary 

  • Other conditions are causing Insomnia. 

secondary insomnia

can be acute or chronic

• Can be caused by things such as: 

  • Family History (genetics)

  • Life Changes (jet lag, sleeping in an unfamiliar place or adjusting to a new work schedule, moving to a new home)

  • life circumstances

  • habits and routine (taking naps, consuming caffeine)

  • Medications 

  • Anxiety or Depression 

  • Medical Conditions such as Parkinson’s  (minor infections or injuries, acid reflux, and conditions that affect your circadian rhythm)

types of insomnia stages

• Initial (Happens at the beginning of sleep) 

• Middle (Happens in the middle of sleep. Characterized by waking up in the middle of the night) 

• Late (Happens towards the end of sleep) 

daytime effects of insomnia

• feeling tired, unwell, or sleepy

• delayed responses, such as reacting too slowly when you’re driving

• trouble remembering things

• slowed thought processes, confusion, or trouble concentrating

• mood disruptions, especially anxiety, depression, and irritability

• other disruptions in your work, social activities, hobbies or other routine activities.

Treatment for insomnia

developing and practicing good sleep habits (also known as sleep hygiene)

medications that help you fall or stay asleep (especially ones that aren’t habit forming or that might otherwise affect your sleep

mental healthcare