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E.

The sleeep difficultyy occurs despite adequuate opportuunity for


sleep.
ABNO
ORMAL P
PSYCHO
OLOGY NOTES F. The inssomnia is noot better expplained by and
a does noot occur
SLEEP
S P-WA
AKE DISOR
D RDERS
S exclusively during thee course off another sleep-wake disorder
(e.g., narcolepsy, a breathingg-related sleep s
d
disorrder, a
Warning: Thiss material is prrotected by Co opyright Laws. Unauthorized used circadian rhythm sleeep-wake disorder, a parrasomnia).
shall be proseecuted in the fuull extent of thee Philippine Laaws. For exclu
usive
use of CBRC reeviewees only.. G. The inssomnia is not attributabble to the phhysiologicall effects
of a substtance (e.g., a drug of abbuse, a meddication).
The DSMM-5 Classiffication of sleep-wakee disorderss is H. Coexissting mental disorders aand medicaal conditionss do not
inttended for use by ggeneral mental healthh and meddical adequatelly explain thhe predominnant complaaint of insommnia.
clinicians (those caringg for adult,, geriatric, and pediaatric
paatients).
Specifiers
rs of Insomnia Disordeer
Slleep-wake disorderss encompass Specify if:
100 disorderss or disordeer groups: • W With non-sleep disorder mental comoorbidity,
1. insomnia disorder, inncluding substance usee disorders
2.
2 hypersom mnolence disorder, • W With other medical
m com
morbidity
3.
3 narcolepssy, • W With other sleep
s disorder
4.
4 breathingg-related sleeep disorderrs, • S Specify if:
5.
5 circadian rhythm sleeep-wake dissorders, • E Episodic: Syymptoms laast at least 1 month but b less
6.
6 parasomiias than 3 months.
6.1 non-rrapid eye moovement (N NREM) sleepp arousal • P Persistent: Symptoms
S last 3 monthhs or longer.
dissorders, • R Recurrent: Two
T (or more) episodees within thee space
6.2 nightm mare disordder, oof 1 year.
6.3 rapid eye movem ment (REM) sleep behaavior disordeer, Note: Acuute and shoort-term insoomnia (i.e., symptoms lasting
6.4 restleess legs synndrome, andd less than 3 months but otherw wise meetinng all criterria with
6.5 substtance/mediccation-inducced sleep disorder. regard to frequency, intensity, distress, and/or
a impaairment)
should bee coded as an a other speecified insom
mnia disordeer.
Individuals with theese disordeers typicallyy present withw
sleeep-wake coomplaints oof dissatisfacction regardding the quaality, Diagnostic Featuress Insomnia Disorder
tim
ming, and amount of sleep. Resulting daytim me distress and • D Different maanifestationns of insom mnia can occur at
mpairment are core feaatures shared by all oof these sleeep-
im ddifferent timees of the sleeep period.
waake disorderrs 1. SSleep onset insomnia (or initial insomnia)
i involves
i
ddifficulty initiiating sleep at bedtime.
• Sleep dissorders aree often accompanied bby depresssion, 2. SSleep maintenance inssomnia (orr middle inssomnia)
a cognitivve changestthat must be addressed in
anxiety, and innvolves frequent
f oor prolongged awakkenings
treatmentt planning aand manageement. tthroughout the t night.
• Persistennt sleep ddisturbancees (both insomnia and 3. LLate insom mnia involvees early-morning awaakening
excessivee sleepiness) are estabblished riskk factors for the wwith an inabbility to returrn to sleep.
subsequeent develoopment of mental illnesses and
substancce use disordders. • NNonrestoraative sleep,, a complaaint of pooor sleep
qquality that does
d not leaave the indiividual resteed upon
1. Insomniaa Disorder aawakening despite
d adeequate duraation, is a common
c
Diagnostic Criteria ssleep compllaint usuallyy occurring in associatiion with
A. A predominaant complaaint of dissaatisfaction with w ddifficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or o less
sleepp quantity or quality, associatedd with one (or ffrequently inn isolation. This compplaint can also a be
rreported in associationn with otheer sleep disorders
moree) of the following sympptoms:
((e.g., breathhing-related sleep disorrder).
1. Difficulty initiating sleep. (In chiildren, this may
m • WWhen a com mplaint of noonrestorative sleep occcurs in
manifest as difficulty initiating sleep without caregiver issolation (i.ee., in the aabsence of difficulty innitiating
intervvention.) aand/or mainntaining sleep) but all diagnostic criteria
2. Difficultyy maintaininng sleep, chharacterizedd by wwith regardd to frequeency, durattion, and daytime d
frequuent awakenings or prroblems retuurning to sleep ddistress annd impairments are otherwiseo met, a
afterr awakeninggs. (In children, this may manifestt as ddiagnosis of o other specified insoomnia disoorder or
uunspecified insomnia diisorder is made.
m
difficculty returnning to sleep s without caregiver
intervvention.)
3 Early-moorning awaakening with inabilityy to
3. Associateed Featurees Supporting Diagno osis for Inssomnia
returrn to sleep. Disorder
• Insomnia is often assocciated with physiologica
p al and
B. The sleep disturbancee causes clinically signnificant distrress
or impairment in social, occupationnal,educational, academ mic, ccognitive arousal
a andd conditionning factorrs that
beehavioral, orr other impoortant areas of functioniing. innterfere with sleep. A preoccupattion with sleeep and
C. The sleep difficulty occcurs at leasst 3 nights per week. ddistress duee to the inabbility to sleepp may lead to a
D. The sleep difficulty is ppresent for at least 3 m
months.

DR.
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vicious cycle: the more the individual strives to sleep, females, polysomnographic studies suggest better
the more frustration builds and further impairs sleep. preservation of sleep continuity and slow-wave sleep
• Insomnia may be accompanied by a variety of in older females than in older males.
daytime complaints and symptoms, including fatigue,
decreased energy, and mood disturbances. Functional Consequences of Insomnia Disorder
Symptoms of anxiety or depression that do not meet • Interpersonal, social, and occupational problems
criteria for a specific mental disorder may be present, may develop as a result of insomnia or excessive
as well as an excessive focus on the perceived concern with sleep, increased daytime irritability, and
effects of sleep loss on daytime functioning poor concentration.
• Individuals with insomnia may have elevated scores • Persistent insomnia is also associated with long-term
on self-report psychological orpersonality inventories consequences, including increased risks of major
with profiles indicating mild depression and anxiety, depressive disorder, hypertension, and myocardial
a worrisomecognitive style, an emotion-focused and infarction; increased absenteeism and reduced
internalizing style of conflict resolution, and a productivity at work; reduced quality of life; and
somatic focus. increased economic burden.

Prevalence of Insomnia Disorder Differential Diagnosis in


• Insomnia is a more prevalent complaint among Insomnia Disorder
females than among males, with a gender ratio of • Normal sleep variations- Short sleepers differ from
about 1.44:1. Although insomnia can be asymptom individuals with insomnia disorder by the lack of
or an independent disorder, it is most frequently difficulty falling or staying asleep and by the absence
observed as a comorbid conditionwith another of characteristic daytime symptoms.
medical condition or mental disorder. For instance, • Situational/acute insomnia -is a condition lasting a
40%-50% of individualswith insomnia also present few days to a few weeks, often associated with life
with a comorbid mental disorder. events or with changes in sleep schedules. These
acute or short-term insomnia symptoms may also
Development and Course of Insomnia Disorder produce significant distress and interfere with social,
• The onset of insomnia symptoms can occur at any personal, and occupational functioning. When such
time during life, but the first episode is more common symptoms are frequent enough and meet all other
in young adulthood. Less frequently, insomnia criteria except for the 3-month duration, a diagnosis
begins in childhood or adolescence. of other specified insomnia disorder or unspecified
In women, new-onset insomnia may occur during insomnia disorder is made.
menopause and persist even after other symptoms (e.g., hot • Delayed sleep phase and shift work types of
flashes) have resolved. Insomnia may have a late-life onset, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder. Individuals
which is often associated with the onset of other health- with the delayed sleep phase type of circadian
related conditions rhythm sleep-wake disorder report sleep-onset
insomnia only when they try to sleep at socially
Risk and Prognostic Factors of normal times, but they do not report difficulty falling
Insomnia Disorder asleep or staying asleep when their bed and rising
1. Temperamental. Anxiety or worry-prone personality or times are delayed and coincide with their
cognitive styles, increased arousal predisposition, and endogenous circadian rhythm. Shift work type differs
tendency to repress emotions can increase vulnerability to from insomnia disorder by the history of recent shift
insomnia. work.
2. Environmental. Noise, light, uncomfortably high or low • Restless legs syndrome – is a syndrome often
temperature, and high altitude produces difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep.
may also increase vulnerability to insomnia. However, an urge to move the legs and any
3. Genetic and physiological. accompanying unpleasant leg sensations are
Female gender and advancing age are associated with features that differentiate this disorder from insomnia
increased vulnerability to insomnia. Disrupted sleep and disorder.
insomnia display a familial disposition. • Breathing-related sleep disorders. Most
The prevalence of insomnia is higher among individuals with a breathing-related sleep disorder
monozygotic twins relative to dizygotic twins; it is also higher have a history of loud snoring, breathing pauses
in first-degree family members compared with the general during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
population. The extent to which this link is inherited through a Nonetheless, as many as 50% of individuals with
genetic predisposition, learned by observations of parental sleep apnea may also report insomnia symptoms, a
models, or established as a by-product of another feature that is more common among females and
psychopathology remains undetermined. older adults.
• Course modifiers. Deleterious course modifiers • Narcolepsy - may cause insomnia complaints but is
include poor sleep hygiene practices (e.g., distinguished from insomnia disorder by the
excessive caffeine use, irregular sleep schedules).
predominance of symptoms of excessive daytime
Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues in Imsomnia Disorder sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and sleep-
• Insomnia is a more prevalent complaint among related hallucinations.
females than among males, with first onset often
associated with the birth of a new child or with
menopause. Despite higher prevalence among older
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 Parasomnias- are characterized by a complaint of E. The hypersomnolence is not attributable to the
unusual behavior or events during sleep that may physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of
lead to intermittent awakenings and difficulty abuse, a medication).
resuming sleep. However, it is these behavioral F. Coexisting mental and medical disorders do not
events, rather than the insomnia per se, that adequately explain the predominant complaint of
dominate the clinical picture. hyypersomnolence.

• Substance/medication-induced sleep disorder, Specifiers of Hypersomnolence Disorder


insomnia type
• Specify if:
Substance/medication induced sleep disorder, insomnia
type, is distinguished from insomnia disorder by the fact – With mental disorder, including substance
that a substance (i.e., a drug of abuse, a medication, or use disorders
exposure to a toxin) is judged to be etiologically related to the – With medical condition
insomnia (see "Substance/Medication-Induced Sleep – With another sleep disorder
Disorder” later in this chapter). For example, insomnia • Specify if:
occurring only in the context of heavy coffee consumption – Acute: Duration of less than 1 month.
would be diagnosed as caffeine-induced sleep disorder,
– Subacute: Duration of 1-3 months.
insomnia type, with onset during intoxication.
– Persistent: Duration of more than 3 months.
Comorbidity in Insomnia Disorder • Specify current severity:
• Individuals with insomnia disorder frequently have a • Specify severity based on degree of difficulty
comorbid mental disorder, particularly bipolar, maintaining daytime alertness as manifested by the
depressive, and anxiety disorders. occurrence of multiple attacks of irresistible
• Persistent insomnia represents a risk factor sleepiness within any given day occurring, for
or an early symptom of subsequent bipolar,
example, while sedentary, driving, visiting with
depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
• Individuals with insomnia may misuse medications or friends, or working.
alcohol to help with nighttime sleep, anxiolytics to – Mild: Difficulty maintaining daytime
combat tension or anxiety, and caffeine or other alertness 1-2 days/week.
stimulants to combat excessive fatigue. – Moderate: Difficulty maintaining daytime
• In addition to worsening the insomnia, this type of alertness 3-4days/week.
substance use may in some cases progress to a
– Severe: Difficulty maintaining daytime
substance use disorder.
alertness 5-7 days/week.
2. Hypersomnolence Disorder
• Diagnostic Criteria Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis in
A. Self-reported excessive sleepiness Hypersomnolence Disorder
(hypersomnolence) despite a main sleep period • subset of individuals with hypersomnolence disorder
lasting at least 7 hours, with at least one of the have a family history of hypersomnolence and also
following symptoms: have symptoms of autonomic nervous system
1. Recurrent periods of sleep or lapses into sleep dysfunction, including recurrent vascular-type
within the same day. headaches, reactivity of the peripheral vascular
2. A prolonged main sleep system and fainting
episode of more than 9
hours per day that is Prevalence in Hypersomnolence Disorder
nonrestorative (i.e., • Approximately 5%-10% of individuals who consult in
unrefreshing). sleep disorders clinics with complaints of daytime
3. Difficulty being fully awake sleepiness are diagnosed as having
after abrupt awakening. hypersomnolence disorder.
• It is estimated that about 1% of the European and
B. The hypersomnolence occurs at least three times U.S. general population has episodes of sleep
per week, for at least 3 months. inertia.
C. The hypersomnolence is accompanied by • Hypersomnolence occurs with relatively equal
significant distress or impairment in cognitive, social, frequency in males and females.
occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. The hypersomnolence is not better explained by Development and Course of
and does not occur exclusively during the course of Hypersomnolence Disorder
another sleep disorder (e.g., narcolepsy, breathing- • Hypersomnolence disorder has a persistent course,
related sleep disorder, circadian rhythm sleep-wake with a progressive evolution in the severity of
disorder, or a parasomnia). symptoms.

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• In most extreme cases, sleep episodes can last up to • Breathing-related sleep disorders. Individuals with
20 hours. However, the average nighttime sleep hypersomnolence and breathing related sleep
duration is around 9 ½ hours. disorders may have similar patterns of excessive
sleepiness. Breathing related sleep disorders are
suggested by a history of loud snoring, pauses in
Risk and Prognostic Factors of Hypersomnolence breathing during sleep, brain injury, or cardiovascular
Disorder
disease and by the presence of obesity,
• Environmental. Hypersomnolence can be increased
oropharyngeal anatomical abnormalities,
temporarily by psychological stress and alcohol use,
hypertension, or heart failure on physical
but they have not been documented as
examination.
environmental precipitating factors.
• Polysomnographic studies can confirm the presence
• Viral infections have been reported to have
of apneic events in breathing related sleep disorder
preceded or accompanied hypersomnolence in
(and their absence in hypersomnolence disorder).
about 10% of cases. Viral infections, such as HIV
• Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders.
pneumonia, infectious mononucleosis, and Guillain-
-are often characterized by daytime sleepiness. A
Barre syndrome, can also evolve into
history of an abnormal sleep-wake schedule (with
hypersomnolence within months after the infection.
shifted or irregular hours) is present in individuals
Hypersomnolence can also appear within 6-18
with a circadian rhythm sleepwake disorder.
months following a head trauma.
• Parasomnias.
• Genetic and physiological. Hypersomnolence may
-rarely produce the prolonged, undisturbed nocturnal
be familial, with an autosomaldominant mode of
sleep or daytime sleepiness characteristic of
inheritance.
hypersomnolence disorder.
Functional Consequences of Other mental disorders.
Hypersomnolence Disorder  Hypersomnolence disorder must be
• The low level of alertness that occurs while an distinguished from mental disorders that include
individual fights the need for sleep can lead to hypersomnolence as an essential or associated
reduced efficiency, diminished concentration, and feature.
poor memory during daytime activities.  In particular, complaints of daytime sleepiness
• Hypersomnoience can lead to significant distress may occur in a major depressive episode, with
and dysfunction in work and social relationships. atypical features, and in the depressed phase of
• Prolonged nocturnal sleep and difficulty awakening bipolar disorder.
can result in difficulty in meeting morning obligations,  Assessment for other mental disorders is
such as arriving at work on time. essential before a diagnosis of
• Unintentional daytime sleep episodes can be hypersomnolence disorder is considered.
embarrassing and even dangerous, if, for instance,  A diagnosis of hypersomnolence disorder can
the individual is driving or operating machinery when be made in the presence of another current or
the episode occurs. past mental disorder.

Differential Diagnosis in Hypersomnolence Disorder Comorbidity in Hypersomnolence Disorder


• Normative variation in sleep. "Normal" sleep • Hypersomnolence can be associated with
duration varies considerably in the general depressive disorders, bipolar disorders (during a
population. "Long sleepers" (i.e., individuals who depressive episode), and major depressive disorder,
require a greater than average amount of sleep) do with seasonal pattern. Many individuals with
not have excessive sleepiness, sleep inertia, or hypersomnolence disorder have symptoms of
automatic behavior when they obtain their required depression that may meet criteria for a depressive
amount of nocturnal sleep. Sleep is reported to be disorder.
refreshing.
• Poor sleep quality and fatigue. Hypersomnolence 3. NARCOLEPSY
disorder should be distinguished Diagnostic Criteria
• from excessive sleepiness related to insufficient A. Recurrent periods of an irrepressible need to sleep,
sleep quantity or quality and fatigue (i.e., lapsing into sleep, or napping occurring within the
• tiredness not necessarily relieved by increased sleep same day. These must have been occurring at least
and unrelated to sleep quantity or three times per week over the past 3 months.
• quality). Excessive sleepiness and fatigue are
difficult to differentiate and may overlap
• considerably.

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B. The presence of at least one of the following: • Onset is typically in children and adolescents/young
1. Episodes of cataplexy, defined as either (a) or (b), adults but rarely in older adults. Two peaks of onset
occurring at least a few times per month: are suggested, at ages 15-25 years and ages 30-35
a. In individuals with long-standing disease, brief years. Onset can be abrupt or progressive (over
(seconds to minutes) episodes of sudden bilateral loss of years). Severity is highest when onset is abrupt in
muscle tone with maintained consciousness that are children, and then decreases with age or with
precipitated by laughter or joking. treatment, so that symptoms such as cataplexy can
b. In children or in individuals within 6 months of onset, occasionally disappear. Abrupt onset in young,
spontaneous grimaces or jaw-opening episodes with prepubescent children can be associated with
tongue thrusting or a global hypotonia, without any obesity and premature puberty, a phenotype more
obvious emotional triggers. frequently observed since 2009.
• In adolescents, onset is more difficult to pinpoint.
2. Hypocretin deficiency, as measured using Onset in adults is often unclear, with some
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin-1 immunoreactivity individuals reporting having had excessive
values (less than or equal to one-third of values obtained sleepiness since birth. Once the disorder has
in healthy subjects tested using the same assay, or less manifested, the course is persistent and lifelong.
than or equal to 110 pg/mL). Low CSF levels of
hypocretin-1 must not be observed in the context of acute Development and Course of Narcolepsy
braininjury, inflammation, or infection. • Young children and adolescents with narcolepsy
3. Nocturnal sleep polysomnographyshowing rapid often develop aggression or behavioral problems
eye movement (REM) sleep latency less than or equal to secondary to sleepiness and/or nighttime sleep
15 minutes, or a multiple sleep latency test showing a disruption.
mean sleep latency less than or equal to 8 minutes and • Workload and social pressure increase through high
two or more sleep-onset REM periods. school and college, reducing available sleep time at
night.
Specifiers of Narcolepsy • Pregnancy does not seem to modify symptoms
Specify whether: consistently.
• Narcolepsy without cataplexy but with hypocretin • After retirement, individuals typically have more
deficiency opportunity for napping, reducing the need for
• Narcolepsy with cataplexy but without hypocretin stimulants. Maintaining a regular schedule benefits
deficiency individuals at all ages.
• Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness,
and narcolepsy Risk and Prognostic Factors of Narcolepsy
• Autosomal dominant narcolepsy, obesity, and type 2 • Temperamental. Parasomnias, such as
diabetes sleepwalking, bruxism, REM sleep behavior disorder,
• Narcolepsy secondary to another medical condition and enuresis, may be more common in individuals
who develop narcolepsy. Individuals commonly
Specify current severity: report that they need more sleep than other family
• Mild: Infrequent cataplexy (less than once per week), members.
need for naps only once or twice per day, and less • Environmental. Group A streptococcal throat
disturbed nocturnal sleep. infection, influenza (notably pandemic HlNl 2009), or
• Moderate: Cataplexy once daily or every few days, other winter infections are likely triggers of the
disturbed nocturnal sleep, and need for multiple naps autoimmune process, producing narcolepsy a few
daily. months later. Head trauma and abrupt changes in
• Severe: Drug-resistant cataplexy with multiple sleep-wake patterns (e.g., job changes, stress) may
attacks daily, nearly constant sleepiness, and be additional triggers.
disturbed noctumal sleep (i.e., movements, • Genetic and physiological. Monozygotic twins are
insomnia, and vivid dreaming). 25%-32% concordant for narcolepsy.
• The prevalence of narcolepsy is l%-2% in first-
Prevalence of Narcolepsy degree relatives
• Narcolepsy-cataplexy affects 0.02%-0.04% of the
general population in most countries. Culture-Related Diagnostic issues
• Narcolepsy affects both genders, with possibly a • Narcolepsy has been described in all ethnic groups
slight male preponderance and in many cultures. Among AfricanAmericans,
more cases present without cataplexy or with
Development and Course of Narcolepsy

DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 -5–


atypical cataplexy, complicating diagnosis, especially narcolepsy, cataplexy may be overlooked (or
in the presence of obesity and obstructive sleep absent), and the individual is assumed to have
apnea. obstructive sleep apnea unresponsive to usual
therapies.
Diagnostic Markers of Narcolepsy
• Functional imaging suggests impaired hypothalamic • Major depressive disorder. Narcolepsy or
responses to humorous stimuli. hypersomnia may be associated or confusedwith
• Nocturnal polysomnography followed by an MSLT is depression. Cataplexy is not present in d
used to confirm the diagnosis of narcolepsy, • Conversion disorder (functional neurological
especially when the disorder is first being diagnosed symptom disorder). Atypical features, such as long-
and before treatment has begun, and if hypocretin lasting cataplexy or unusual triggers, may be present
deficiency has not been documented biochemically. in conversion disorder (functional neurological
The polysomnography/ MSLT should be performed symptom disorder).
after the individual is no longer taking any
psychotropic drugs and after regular sleep-wake • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or other
patterns, without shift work or sleep deprivation, behavioral problems. In children and adolescents,
have been documented. sleepiness can cause behavioral problems, including
aggressiveness and inattention, leading to a
Functional Consequences of Narcolepsy misdiagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity
• Driving and working are impaired, and individuals disorder.
with narcolepsy should avoid jobs that place • Seizures. In young children, cataplexy can be
themselves (e.g., working with machinery) or others misdiagnosed as seizures. Seizures are not
(e.g., bus driver, pilot) in danger. commonly triggered by emotions, and when they are,
• Once the narcolepsy is controlled with therapy, the trigger is not usually laughing or joking.
patients can usually drive, although rarely long
distances alone. Untreated individuals are also at • Chorea and movement disorders. In young children,
risk for social isolation and accidental injury to cataplexy can be misdiagnosed as chorea or
themselves or others. Social relations may suffer as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders
these individuals strive to avert cataplexy by exerting associated with streptococcal infections, especially in
control over emotions. the context of a strep throat infection and high
antistreptolysin or antibody levels. Some children
Differential Diagnosis of Narcolepsy may have an overlapping movement disorder close
Other hypersomnias. to onset of the cataplexy.
 Hypersomnolence and narcolepsy are similar with
respect to the degree of daytime sleepiness, age at • Schizophrenia. In the presence of florid and vivid
onset, and stable course over time but can be hypnagogic hallucinations, individuals may think
distinguished based on distinctive clinical and these experiences are real—a feature that suggests
laboratory features. Individuals with hypersomnolence schizophrenia. Similarly, with stimulant treatment,
typically have longer and less disrupted nocturnal persecutory delusions may develop. If cataplexy is
sleep, greater difficulty awakening, more persistent present, the clinician should first assume that these
daytime sleepiness (as opposed to more discrete symptoms are secondary to narcolepsy before
"sleep attacks” in narcolepsy), longer and less considering a co-occurring diagnosis of
refreshing daytime sleep episodes, and little or no schizophrenia
dreaming during daytime naps. By contrast,
individuals with narcolepsy have cataplexy and Comorbidity of Narcolepsy
recurrent intrusions of elements of REM sleep into the  Narcolepsy can co-occur with bipolar, depressive, and
transition between sleep and wakefulness (e.g., anxiety disorders, and in rare caseswith
sleep-related hallucinations and sleep paralysis). schizophrenia.
 Narcolepsy is also associated with increased body
• Sleep deprivation and insufficient nocturnal sleep. mass index or obesity, especially when the
Sleep deprivation and insufficient nocturnal sleep are narcolepsy is untreated.
common in adolescents and shift workers. In  Rapid weight gain is common in young children with a
adolescents, difficulties falling asleep at night are sudden disease onset. Comorbid sleep apnea should
common, causing sleep deprivation. be considered if there is a sudden aggravation of
• Sleep apnea syndromes. Sleep apneas are preexisting narcolepsy.
especially likely in the presence of obesity. Because
obstructive sleep apnea is more frequent than
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 -6–
individuals may report symptoms of insomnia. Other
4. BREATHING-RELATED SLEEP DISORDERS common, though nonspecific, symptoms of
4.1 Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea are heartburn,
nocturia, morning headaches, dry mouth, erectile
Diagnostic Criteria
dysfunction, and reduced libido. Rarely, individuals
A. Either (1) or (2): may complain of difficulty breathing while lying
1. Evidence by polysomnography of at least five supine or sleeping. Hypertension may occur in more
obstructive apneas or hypopneas per hour of sleep and than 60% of individuals with obstructive sleep apnea
either of the following sleep symptoms: hypopnea
a. Nocturnal breathing disturbances: snoring,
snorting/gasping, or breathing pauses during sleep. Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Hypopnea
b. Daytime sleepiness, fatigue, or unrefreshing sleep
despite sufficient opportunities to sleep that is not better • Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea is a very
explained by another mental disorder (including a sleep common disorder, affecting at least l%-2% of
disorder) and is not attributable to another medical children, 2%-15% of middle-age adults, and more
condition. than 20% of older individuals.
• Prevalence may be particularly high among males,
2. Evidence by polysomnography of 15 or more older adults, and certain racial/ethnic groups. In
obstructive apneas and/or hypopneas per hour of sleep adults, the male-to-female ratio of obstructive
regardless of accompanying symptoms. sleep apnea hypopnea ranges from 2:1 to 4:1.
• Gender differences decline in older age, possibly
because of an increased prevalence in females after
Specifiers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea
Specify current severity: menopause. There is no gender difference among
o Mild: Apnea hypopnea index is less than 15. prepubertal children.
o Moderate: Apnea hypopnea Index is 15-30.
o Severe: Apnea hypopnea index is greater than Risk and Prognostic Factors of Obstructive Sleep
30. Apnea Hypopnea
• Genetic and physiological. The major risk factors for
obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea are obesity and
Diagnostic Features of Obstructive Sleep Apnea male gender.
Hypopnea • Others include maxillary-mandibular retrognathia or
micrognathia, positive family history of sleep apnea,
• Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea is the most
genetic syndromes that reduce upper airway patency
common breathing-related sleep disorder.
• It is characterized by repeated episodes of upper (e.g., Down's syndrome, Treacher Collin's
(pharyngeal) airway obstruction (apneas and syndrome), adenotonsillar hypertrophy (especially in
hypopneas) during sleep. young children), menopause (in females), and
• Apnea refers to the total absence of airflow, and various endocrine syndromes (e.g., acromegaly).
hypopnea refers to a reduction in airflow. • Compared with premenopausal females, males are
• Each apnea or hypopnea represents a reduction in at increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea
breathing
hypopnea, possibly reflecting the influences of sex
• of at least 10 seconds in duration in adults or two
missed breaths in children and is typically associated hormones on ventilatory control and body fat
with drops in oxygen saturation of 3% or greater distribution, as well as because of gender differences
and/or an electroencephalo-graphic arousal in airway structure.

Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis of Culture-Related Diagnostic Issues in Obstructive


Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea
Sleep Apnea Hypopnea
• Because of the frequency of nocturnal awakenings • There is a potential for sleepiness and fatigue to be
that occur with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea, reported differently across cultures. In some groups,
individuals may report symptoms of insomnia. snoring may be considered a sign of health and thus
• Other common, though nonspecific, symptoms of may not trigger con
obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea are heartburn,
nocturia, morning headaches, dry mouth, erectile Gender-Related Issues
dysfunction, and reduced libido. • Females may more commonly report fatigue rather
• Rarely, individuals may complain of difficulty than sleepiness and may underreport snoring.
breathing while lying supine or sleeping.
Hypertension may occur in more than 60% of
individuals with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea
• Because of the frequency of nocturnal awakenings
that occur with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea,
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 -7–
Functional Consequences of -Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea and attention-
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea deficit/hyperactivity disorder may commonly co-
• More than 50% of individuals with moderate to occur, and there may be causal links between them;
severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea report therefore, risk factors such as enlarged tonsils,
symptoms of daytime sleepiness. obesity, or a family history of sleep apnea may help
• A twofold increased risk of occupational accidents alert the clinician to their co-occurrence.
has been reported in association with symptoms of
snoring and sleepiness. Substance/medication-induced insomnia or
• Motor vehicle crashes also have been reported to be hypersomnia.
as much as sevenfold higher among individuals with Substance use and substance withdrawal
elevated apnea hypopnea index values. (including medications) can produce insomnia or
hypersomnia. A careful history is usually sufficient to
Differential Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep identify the relevant substance/medication, and
Apnea Hypopnea follow-up shows improvement of the sleep
disturbance after discontinuation of the
• Primary snoring and other sleep disorders. - substance/medication. In other cases, the use of a
Individuals with obstructive sleep apneahypopnea substance/medication (e.g., alcohol, barbiturates,
must be differentiated from individuals with primary benzodiazepines, tobacco) has been shown to
snoring (i.e., otherwise asymptomatic individuals exacerbate obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea. An
who snore and do not have abnormalities on individual with symptoms and signs consistent with
overnight polysomnography). Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea should receive
obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea may additionally that diagnosis, even in the presence of concurrent
report nocturnal gasping and choking. substance use that is exacerbating the condition.

• Insomnia disorder. Comorbidity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea


-For individuals complaining of difficulty initiating Hypopnea
or maintaining sleep or early-moming awakenings, As many as one-third of individuals referred for
insomnia disorder can be differentiated from evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea
obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea by the absence of report symptoms of depression, with as many of 10%
snoring and the absence of the history, signs, and having depression scores consistent with
symptoms characteristic of the latter disorder. moderate to severe depression. Severity of
However, insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea, as measured by
hypopnea may coexist, and if so, both disorders may the apnea hypopnea index, has ben foimd to be
need to be addressed concurrently to improve sleep. correlated with severity of symptoms of depression.
This association may be stronger in males than in
• Panic attacks. females.
-Nocturnal panic attacks may include symptoms
of gasping or choking during sleep that may be 4.2 CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA
difficult to distinguish clinically from obstructive sleep
apnea hypopnea. Diagnostic Criteria
A. Evidence by polysomnography of five or more
-However, the lower frequency of episodes,
central apneas per hour of sleep.
intense autonomic arousal, and lack of excessive
B. The disorder is not better explained by another
sleepiness differentiate nocturnal panic attacks from
current sleep disorder.
obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea.
Specify whether:
 Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.  Idiopathic central sleep apnea: Characterized by
- may include symptoms of inattention, repeated episodes of apneas and hypopneas during
academic impairment, hyperactivity, and internalizing sleep caused by variability in respiratory effort but
behaviors, all of which may also be symptoms of without evidence of ainway obstruction.
childhood obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea.  Cheyne-Stokes breathing: A pattern of periodic
-The presence of other symptoms and signs of crescendodecrescendo variation in tidal volume that
childhood obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea (e.g., results in central apneas and hypopneas at a
labored breathing or snoring during sleep and frequency of at least five events per hour,
adenotonsillar hypertrophy) would suggest the accompanied by frequent arousal.
presence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea.

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 Central sleep apnea comorbid with opioid use: The Functional Consequences of Central Sleep
pathogenesis of this subtype is attributed to the Apnea
effects of opioids on the respiratory rhythm
Idiopathic central sleep apnea has been
generators in the medulla as well as the differential
reported to cause symptoms of disrupted sleep,
effects on hypoxic versus hypercapnic respiratory including insomnia and sleepiness.
drive. Cheyne-Stokes breathing with comorbid heart
failure has been associated with excessive
• Specify current severity: sleepiness, fatigue, and insomnia, although many
Severity of central sleep apnea is graded according individuals may be asymptomatic.
to the frequency of the breathing disturbances as Coexistence of heart failure and Cheyne-Stokes
breathing may be associated with increased cardiac
well as the extent of associated oxygen desaturation
arrhythmias and increased mortality or cardiac
and sleep fragmentation that occur as a transplantation. Individuals with central sleep apnea
consequence of repetitive respiratory disturbances. comorbid with opioid use may present with
symptoms of sleepiness or insomnia.

Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis in Differential Diagnosis of Central Sleep Apnea


Central Sleep Apnea • Other breathing-related sleep disorders and
sleep disorders. Central sleep apnea can be
• Individuals with central sleep apnea hypopneas can distinguished from obstructive sleep apnea
manifest with sleepiness or insomnia. hypopnea by the presence of at least five central
• There can be complaints of sleep fragmentation, apneas per hour of sleep. These conditions may co-
including awakening with dyspnea. occur, but central sleep apnea is considered to
• Some individuals are asymptomatic. Obstructive predominate when the ratio of central to obstructive
sleep apnea hypopnea can coexist with Cheyne- respiratory events exceeds 50%.
Stokes breathing, and thus snoring and abruptly
terminating apneas may be observed during sleep. Comorbidity of Central Sleep Apnea
• Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea may coexist with
Prevalence of Central Sleep Apnea central sleep apnea, and features consistent with this
• The prevalence of idiopathic central sleep apnea is conditioncan also be present.
unknown but thought to be rare.
• The prevalence of Cheyne-Stokes breathing is high 5. SLEEP-RELATED HYPOVENTILATION
in individuals with depressed cardiac ventricular Diagnostic Criteria
ejection fraction. A. Polysomnograpy demonstrates episodes of
• Central sleep apnea comorbid with opioid use occurs decreased respiration associated with elevated
in approximately 30% of individuals taking chronic CO2 levels. (Note: In the absence of objective
opioids for nonmalignant pain and similarly in measurement of CO2 , persistent low levels of
individuals receiving methadone maintenance hemoglobin oxygen saturation unassociated with
therapy. apneic/hypopneic events may indicate
hypoventilation.)
Development and Course of Central Sleep Apnea B. The disturbance is not better explained by another
• The onset of Cheyne-Stokes breathing appears tied current sleep disorder.
to the development of heart failure.
• The Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern is associated Specifiers of Sleep-Related Hypoventilation
with oscillations in heart rate, blood pressure and Specify whether:
oxygen desaturation, and elevated sympathetic  Idiopathic hypoventilation: This subtype is not
nervous system activity that can promote attributable to any readily identified condition.
progression of heart failure.
 Congenital central alveolar hypoventilation: This
Risk and Prognostic Factors subtype is a rare congenital disorder in which
• Genetic and physiological. the individual typically presents in the perinatal
Cheyne-Stokes breathing is frequently present period with shallow breathing, or cyanosis and
in individuals with heart failure. The coexistence of apnea during sleep.
atrial fibrillation further increases risk, as do older  Comorbid sleep-related hypoventilation: This
age and male gender. subtype occurs as a consequence of a medical
Cheyne-Stokes breathing is also seen in
condition, such as a pulmonary disorder (e.g.,
association with acute stroke and possibly renal
failure. The underlying ventilatory instability in the interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive
setting of heart failure has been attributed to pulmonary disease) or a neuromuscular or chest
increased ventilatorychemosensitivity and wall disorder (e.g., muscular dystrophies,
hyperventilation due to pulmonary vascular postpolio syndrome, cervical spinal cord injury,
congestion and circulatory delay. Central sleep kyphoscoliosis), or medications (e.g.,
apnea is seen in individuals taking long-acting
benzodiazepines, opiates).
opioids.

DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 -9–


• Specify current severity:
Severity is graded according to the degree
of hypoxemia and hypercarbia present during
Risk and Prognostic Factors of Sleep-Related
sleep and evidence of end organ impairment
Hypoventilation
due to these abnormalities (e.g., rightsided heart • Environmental.
failure). The presence of blood gas -Ventilatory drive can be reduced in individuals
abnormalities during wakefulness is an indicator using central nervous system depressants, including
of greater severity. benzodiazepines, opiates, and alcohol.
• Genetic and physiological.

Subtypes of Sleep-Related Hypoventilation


• Regarding obesity hypoventilation disorder, the Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues in Sleep-Related
prevalence of obesity hypoventilation in the general Hypoventilation
population is not known but is thought to be • Gender distributions for sleep-related hypoventilation
increasing in association with the increased occurring in association with comorbid conditions
prevalence of obesity and extreme obesity. reflect the gender distributions of the comorbid
conditions. For example, COPD is more frequently
present in males and with increasing age.
Diagnostic Features of Sleep-Related Hypoventilation
• Sleep-related hypoventilation can occur 5. Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
independently or, more frequently, comorbid with Diagnostic Criteria
medical or neurological disorders, medication use, or A. A persistent or recurrent pattern of sleep disruption
substance use disorder.
that is primarily due to an alteration of the circadian
• Although symptoms are not mandatory to make this
diagnosis, individuals often report excessive daytime system or to a misalignment between the endogenous
sleepiness, frequent arousals and awakenings circadian rhythm and the sleep-wake schedule required
during sleep, morning headaches, and insomnia by an individual’s physical environmentor social or
complaints. professional schedule.
B. The sleep disruption leads to excessive sleepiness or
Prevalence of Sleep-Related Hypoventilation
insomnia, or both.
• Idiopathic sleep-related hypoventilation in adults is
very uncommon. The prevalence of congenital C. The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant
central alveolar hypoventilation is unknown, but the distress or impairment in social, occupational,and other
disorder is rare. Comorbid sleep-related important areas of functioning
hypoventilation (i.e., hypoventilation comorbid with
other conditions,such as chronic obstructive Specifiers of Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake
pulmonary disease [COPD], neuromuscular Disorders
disorders, or obesity)is more common.
Specify whether:
Development and Course of Sleep-Related Delayed sleep phase type: A pattern of delayed
Hypoventilation sleep onset and awakening times, with an inability to fall
asleep and awaken at a desired or conventionally
• Idiopathic sleep-related hypoventilation is thought to be a acceptable earlier time.
slowly progressive disorder of respiratory impairment.
When this disorder occurs comorbidly with other Specify if:
disorders (e.g., COPD, neuromuscular disorders,
Familial: A family history of delayed sleep phase
obesity), disease severity reflects the severity of the
underlying condition, and the disorder progresses as the is present.
condition worsens.
• Complications such as pulmonary hypertension, Specify if:
corpulmonale, cardiac dysrhythmias, polycythemia, Overlapping with non-24-hour sleep-wake type:
neurocognitive dysfunction, and worsening respiratory Delayed sleep phase type may overlap with another
failure can develop with increasing severity of blood gas
circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder, non-24-hour
abnormalities.
• Congenital central alveolar hypoventilation usually sleep-wake type.
manifests at birth with shallow, erratic, or absent Advanced sleep phase type: A pattern of
breathing. This disorder can also manifest during infancy, advanced sleep onset and awakening times, with an
childhood, and adulthood because of variable penetrance inability to remain awake or asleep until the desired or
of the PHOX2B mutation. Children with congenital central conventionally acceptable later sleep or wake times.
alveolar hypoventilation are more likely to have disorders
of the autonomic nervous system, Hirschsprung's
disease, neural crest tumors, and characteristic
boxshaped face (i.e., the face is short relative to its
width).
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 - 10 –
Specify if: B. No or little (e.g., only a single visual scene) dream imagery
• Familial: A family history of advanced sleep phase is is recalled.
present. C. Amnesia for the episodes is present.
D. The episodes cause clinically significant distress or
• Irregular sleep-wake type: A temporally disorganized
impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of
sleep-wake pattern, such that the timing of sleep and functioning.
wake periods is variable throughout the 24- hour E. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological
period. effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication).
• Non-24-hour sleep-wake type: A pattern of sleep- F. Coexisting mental and medical disorders do not explain the
wake cycles that is not synchronized to the 24-hour episodes of sleepwalking or sleep terrors.
environment, with a consistent daily drift (usually to
6.2 NIGHTMARE DISORDER
later and later times) of sleep onset and wake times.
• Shift work type: Insomnia during the major sleep Diagnostic Criteria
period and/or excessive sleepiness (including A. Repeated occurrences of extended, extremely dysphoric,
inadvertent sleep) during the major awake period and well-remembered dreams that usually involve efforts to
associated with a shift work schedule (i.e., requiring avoid threats to survival, security, or physical integrity and that
unconventional work hours). generally occur during the second half of the major sleep
episode.
B. On awakening from the dysphoric dreams, the individual
Unspecified type rapidly becomes oriented and alert.
Specify if: C. The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress
o Episodic: Symptoms last at least 1 month but less or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas
than 3 months. of functioning.
o Persistent: Symptoms last 3 months or longer. D. The nightmare symptoms are not attributable to the
o Recurrent: Two or more episodes occur within physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a
medication).
the space of 1 year.
E. Coexisting mental and medical disorders do not adequately
explain the predominant complaint of dysphoric dreams.
6. PARASOMNIAS
• are disorders characterized by abnormal behavioral, Specifiers of Nightmare Disorder
experiential, or physiological events occurring in Specify if:
association with sleep, specific sleep stages, or sleep- • During sleep onset
wake transitions. Specify if:
• With associated non-sleep disorder, including
• The most common parasomnias—non-rapid eye
substance use disorders
movement (NREM) sleep arousal disorders and rapid eye • With associated other medical condition
movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder—represent • With associated other sleep disorder
admixtures of wakefulness and NREM sleep and wakefulness Specify if:
and REM sleep, respectively. • Acute: Duration of period of nightmares is 1 month or
• These conditions serve as a reminder that sleep and less.
• Subacute: Duration of period of nightmares is greater
wakefulness are not mutually exclusive and that sleep is not
than 1 month but less than
necessarily a global, whole-brain phenomenon. 6 months.
• Persistent: Duration of period of nightmares is 6
6.1 NON-RAPID EYE MOVEMENT months or greater.
SLEEP AROUSAL DISORDERS Specify current severity:
• Severity can be rated by the frequency with which
Diagnostic Criteria the nightmares occur:
• Mild: Less than one episode per week on average.
A. Recurrent episodes of incomplete awakening from sleep, • Moderate: One or more episodes per week but less
usually occurring during the first third of the major sleep than nightly.
episode, accompanied by either one of the following: • Severe: Episodes nightly.
1. Sleepwalking: Repeated episodes of rising from bed
during sleep and walking about. While sleepwalking, the Diagnostic Features of Nightmare Disorder
individual has a blank, staring face; is relatively unresponsive • Nightmares are typically lengthy, elaborate, story like
to the efforts of others to communicate with him or her; and sequences of dream imagery that seem real and that
can be awakened only with great difficulty. incite anxiety, fear, or o therdysphoric emotions.
• If nightmares occur during sleep-onset REM periods
2. Sleep terrors: Recurrent episodes of abrupt terror (hypnagogic), the dysphoric emotion is frequently
arousals from sleep, usually beginning with a panicky scream. accompanied by a sense of being both awake and
There is intense fear and signs of autonomic arousal, such as unable to move voluntarily (isolated sleep paralysis).
mydriasis, tachycardia, rapid breathing, and sweating, during
each episode. There is relative unresponsiveness to efforts of
others to comfort the individual during the episodes.

DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 - 11 –


Prevalence of Nightmare Disorder experience excessive daytime sleepiness, poor
• Prevalence of nightmares increases through concentration, depression, anxiety, or irritability.
childhood into adolescence. From 1.3% to 3.9% of Frequent childhood nightmares (e.g., several per
parents report that their preschool children have week), may cause significant distress to parents and
nightmares "often" or "always". child
• Prevalence increases from ages 10 to 13 for both
males and females but continues to increase to Differential Diagnosis of Nightmare Disorder
ages 20-29 for females (while decreasing for males), • Sleep terror disorder.
when it can be twice as high for females as for Both nightmare disorder and sleep terror
males. disorder include awakenings or partial awakenings
• Prevalence decreases steadily with age for both with fearfulness and autonomic activation, but the
sexes, but the gender difference remains. Among two disorders are differentiable.
adults, prevalence of nightmares at least monthly is Nightmares typically occur later in the night,
6%, whereas prevalence for frequent nightmares is during REM sleep, and produce vivid, storylike, and
l%-2%. Estimates often combine idiopathicand clearly recalled dreams; mild utonomic arousal; and
posttraumatic nightmares indiscriminately. complete awakenings.
Sleep terrors typically arise in the first third of
Development and Course of Nightmare Disorder the night during stage 3 or 4 NREM sleep and
• Nightmares often begin between ages 3 and 6 years produce either no dream recall or images without an
but reach a peak prevalence and severity in late elaborate storylike quality.
adolescence or early adulthood. Nightmares most The terrors lead to partial awakenings that leave
likely appear in children exposed to acute or chronic the individual confused, disoriented, and only
psychosocial stressors and thus may not resolve partially responsive and with substantial autonomic
spontaneously. arousal. There is usually amnesia for the event in the
• In a minority, frequent nightmares persist into morning.
adulthood, becoming virtually a lifelong disturbance.
Although specific nightmare content may reflect the • REM sleep behavior disorder.
individual's age, the essential features of the disorder The presence of complex motor activity during
are the same across age groups. frighteningdreams should prompt further evaluation
for REM sleep behavior disorder, which occurs more
Risk and Prognostic Factors of Nightmare Disorder typically among late middle-age males and, unlike
• Temperamental. Individuals who experience nightmare disorder, is associated with often violent
nightmares report more frequent past adverse dream enactments and a history of nocturnal injuries.
events, but not necessarily trauma, and often display The dream disturbance of REM sleep behavior
personality disturbances or psychiatric diagnosis. disorder is described by patients as nightmares but
• Environmental. Sleep deprivation or fragmentation, is controlled by appropriate medication
and irregular sleep-wake schedules that alter the
timing, intensity, or quantity of REM sleep, can put • Bereavement.
individuals at risk for nightmares. Dysphoric dreams may occur during
• Genetic and physiological. Twin studies have bereavement but typically involve loss and sadness
identified genetic effects on the disposition to and are followed by self-reflection and insight, rather
nightmares and their co-occurrence with other than distress, on awakening.
parasomnias (e.g., sleeptalking).
• Course modifiers. Adaptive parental bedside • Narcolepsy.
behaviors, such as soothing the child following Nightmares are a frequent complaint in
nightmares, may protect against developing chronic narcolepsy, but the presence of excessive
nightmares. sleepiness and cataplexy differentiates this condition
from nightmare disorder.
Culture-Related Diagnostic issues in Nightmare Disorder
• The significance attributed to nightmares may vary • Nocturnal seizures.
by culture, and sensitivity to such beliefs may Seizures may rarely manifest as nightmares and
facilitate disclosure. should be evaluated withpolysomnography and
continuous video electroencephalography.
Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues Nocturnal seizures usually involve stereotypical
• Adult females report having nightmares more motor activity. Associated nightmares, if recalled, are
frequently than do adult males. Nightmare content often repetitive in nature or reflect epileptogenic
differs by sex, with adult females tending to report features such as the content of diurnal auras (e.g.,
themes of sexual harassment or of loved ones unmotivated dread), phosphenes, or ictal imagery.
disappearing/dying, and adult males tending to Disorders of arousal, especially confusional
report themes of physical aggression or war/terror. arousals, may also be present.

Functional Consequences of Nightmare Disorder • Breathing-related sleep disorders.


• Nightmares cause more significant subjective Breathing-related sleep disorders can lead to
distress than demonstrable social or occupational awakenings with autonomic arousal, but these are
impairment. However, if awakenings are frequent or
result in sleep avoidance, individuals may
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 - 12 –
not usually accompanied by recall of nightmares. • The essential feature of rapid eye movement (REM)
sleep behavior disorder is repeated episodes of
• Nocturnal seizures. arousal, often associated with vocalizations and/or
Seizures may rarely manifest as nightmares and complex motor behaviors arising from REM sleep
should be evaluated withpolysomnography and (Criterion A).
continuous video electroencephalography. • Upon awakening, the individual is immediately
Nocturnal seizures usually involve stereotypical awake, alert, and oriented (Criterion C) and is often
motor activity. able to recall dream mentation, which closely
Associated nightmares, if recalled, are often correlates with the observed behavior.
repetitive in nature or reflect epileptogenic features • The diagnosis of REM sleep behavior disorder
such as the content of diurnal auras (e.g., requires clinically significant distress or impairment
unmotivated dread), phosphenes, or ictal imagery. (Criterion E)
Disorders of arousal, especially confusional
arousals, may also be present. Prevalence of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior
Disorder
• Breathing-related sleep disorders. • The prevalence of REM sleep behavior disorder is
Breathing-related sleep disorders can lead to approximately 0.38%-0.5% in the general population.
awakenings with autonomic arousal, but these are Prevalence in patients with psychiatric disorders may
not usually accompanied by recall of nightmares. be greater, possibly related to medications
prescribed for the psychiatric disorder.
Comorbidity of Nightmare Disorder
Nightmares may be comorbid with several Development and Course of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep
medical conditions, including coronary heart Behavior Disorder
disease, cancer, parkinsonism, and pain, and can • The onset of REM sleep behavior disorder may be
accompany medical treatments, such as gradual or rapid, and the course is usually
hemodialysis, or withdrawal from medications or progressive. REM sleep behavior disorder
substances of abuse. associated with neurodegenerative disorders may
Nightmares frequently are comorbid with other improve as the underlying neurodegenerative
mental disorders, including PTSD; insomnia disorder progresses.
disorder; schizophrenia; psychosis; mood, anxiety, • REM sleep behavior disorder overwhelmingly affects
adjustment, and personality disorders; and grief males older than 50 years, but increasingly this
during bereavement. disorder is being identified in females and in younger
individuals. Symptoms in young individuals,
6.3. RAPID EYE MOVEMENT SLEEP BEHAVIOR particularly young females, should raise the
DISORDER possibility of narcolepsy or medication-induced REM
sleep behavior disorder
Diagnostic Criteria
A. Repeated episodes of arousal during sleep associated with Risk and Prognostic Factors of Rapid Eye Movement
vocalization and/or complex motor behaviors. Sleep Behavior Disorder
B. These behaviors arise during rapid eye movement (REM)
sleep and therefore usually occur more than 90 minutes after • Genetic and physiological.
sleep onset, are more frequent during the later portions of the Many widely prescribed medications, including
sleep period, and uncommonly occur during daytime naps. tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin
C. Upon awakening from these episodes, the individual is reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine
completely awake, alert, and not confused or disoriented. reuptake inhibitors, and beta-blockers, may result in
D. Either of the following: polysomnographic evidence of REM sleep without
1. REM sleep without atonia on polysomnographic atonia and in frank REM sleep behavior disorder.
recording. It is not known whether the medications per se
2. A history suggestive of REM sleep behavior result in REM sleep behavior disorder or they
disorder and an established synucleinopathy unmask an underlying predisposition.
diagnosis (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, multiple
system atrophy). Functional Consequences of
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder
E. The behaviors cause clinically significant distress or • REM sleep behavior disorder may occur in isolated
impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of occasions in otherwise unaffected individuals.
functioning (which may include injury to self or the bed • Embarrassment concerning the episodes can
partner). impair social relationships.
F. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological • Individuals may avoid situations in which others
effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or might become aware of the disturbance,visiting
another medical condition. friends overnight, or sleeping with bed partners.
G. Coexisting mental and medical disorders do not explain the • Social isolation or occupationaldifficulties can result.
episodes. Uncommonly, REM sleep behavior disorder may
result in serious injury to the victim or to the bed
Diagnostic Features of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep partner.
Behavior Disorder

DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 - 13 –


Differential Diagnosis of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep 2. The urge to move the legs is partially or totally
Behavior Disorder relieved by movement.
• Other parasomnias. 3. The urge to move the legs is worse in the evening
Confusional arousals, sleepwalking, and sleep
or at night than during the day, or occurs only in the
terrors can easily be confused with REM sleep
behavior disorder. In general, these disorders occur evening or at night.
in younger individuals.
Unlike REM sleep behavior disorder, they arise B. The symptoms in Criterion A occur at least three times
from deep NREM sleep and therefore tend to occur per week and have persisted for at least 3 months.
in the early portion of the sleep period. C. The symptoms in Criterion A are accompanied by
Awakening from a confusional arousal is significant distress or impairment in social, occupational,
associated with confusion, disorientation, and
educational, academic, behavioral, or other important
incomplete recall of dream mentation accompanying
the behavior. Polysomnographic monitoring in the areas of functioning.
disorders of arousal reveals normal REM atonia. D. The symptoms in Criterion A are not attributable to
another mental disorder or medical condition (e.g.,
• Nocturnal seizures. arthritis, leg edema, peripheral ischemia, leg cramps) and
Nocturnal seizures may perfectly mimic REM are not better explained by a behavioral condition (e.g.,
sleep behavior disorder, but the behaviors are positional discomfort, habitual foot tapping).
generally more stereotyped.
E. The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological
Polysomnographic monitoring employing a full
electroencephalographic seizure montage may effects of a drug of abuse or medication
differentiate the two. REM sleep without atonia is not
present on polysomnographic monitoring Diagnostic Features of Restless Legs Syndrome
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor,
• Obstructive sleep apnea. neurological sleep disorder characterized by a desire
Obstructive sleep apnea may result in behaviors
to move the legs or arms, usually associated with
indistinguishable from REM sleep behavior disorder.
Polysomnographie monitoring is necessary to uncomfortable sensations typically described as
differentiate between the two. In this case, the creeping, crawling, tingling, burning, or itching
symptoms resolve following effective treatment of the (Criterion A).
obstructive sleep apnea, and REM sleep without • The diagnosis of RLS is based primarily on patient
atonia is not present on polysomnography monitoring self-report and history. Symptoms are worse when
the individual is at rest, and frequent movements of
• Other specified dissociative disorder (sleep-
the legs occur in an effort to relieve the
related psychogenic dissociative disorder).
uncomfortable sensations. Symptoms are worse in
Unlike virtually all other parasomnias, which arise the evening or night, and in some individuals they
precipitously from NREM or REM sleep, psychogenic occur only in the evening or night. Evening
dissociative behaviors arise from a period of well-defined worsening occurs independently of any differences in
wakefulness during the sleep period. Unlike REM sleep activity.
behavior disorder, this condition is more prevalent in young
females.
Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome
• Malingering. Many cases of malingering in which
the individual reports problematic sleep movements • Prevalence rates of RLS vary widely when broad
perfectly mimic the clinical features of REM sleep criteria are utilized but range from 2% to 7.2% when
behavior disorder, and polysonmographic more defined criteria are employed.
documentation is mandatory. • When frequency of symptoms is at least three times
per week with moderate or severe distress, the
Comorbidity of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior
prevalence rate is 1.6%; when frequency of
Disorder
• REM sleep behavior disorder is present concurrently symptoms is a minimum of one time per week, the
in approximately 30% of patientswith narcolepsy. prevalence rate is 4.5%.
When it occurs in narcolepsy, the demographics • Females are 1.5-2 times more likely than males to
reflect the younger agerange of narcolepsy, with have RLS. RLS also increases with age. The
equal frequency in males and females. prevalence of RLS may be lower in Asian
populations.
6.3 RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Diagnostic Criteria Differential Diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome


A. An urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by or • The most important conditions in the differential
in response to uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations diagnosis of RLS are leg cramps, positional
in the legs, characterized by all of the following: discomfort, arthralgias/arthritis, myalgias, positional
1. The urge to move the legs begins or worsens
during periods of rest or inactivity.
DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 - 14 –
ischemia (numbness), leg edema, peripheral Specify whether:
neuropathy, radiculopathy, and habitual foot tapping. • Insomnia type: Characterized by difficulty falling
''Knotting" of the muscle (cramps), relief with a single asleep or maintaining sleep, frequent
postural shift, limitation to joints, soreness to • nocturnal awakenings, or nonrestorative sleep.
palpation (myalgias), and other abnormalities on • Daytime sleepiness type: Characterized by
physical examination are not characteristic of RLS. predominant complaint of excessive
Unlike RLS, nocturnal leg cramps do not typically sleepiness/fatigue during waking hours or, less
present with the desire to move the limbs nor are commonly, a long sleep period.
there frequent limb movements • Parasomnia type: Characterized by abnormal
behavioral events during sleep.
Comorbidity of Restless Legs Syndrome • Mixed type: Characterized by a
• Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance/medication-induced sleep problem
attentional disorders are commonly comorbid with characterized by multiple types of sleep symptoms,
RLS and are discussed in the section "Functional but no symptom clearly predominates
Consequences of Restless Legs Syndrome." The
main medical disorder comorbid with RLS is
cardiovascular disease. Specify if :
• There may be an association with numerous other • With onset during intoxication: This specifier should
medical disorders, including hypertension, be used if criteria are met for intoxication with the
narcolepsy, migraine, Parkinson's disease, multiple substance/medication and symptoms developed
sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep during the intoxication period.
apnea, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, • With onset during discontinuation/withdrawal: This
obesity, thyroid disease, and cancer. Iron deficiency, specifier should be used if criteria are met for
pregnancy, and chronic renal failure are also discontinuation/withdrawal from the
comorbid with RLS. substance/medication and symptoms developed
during, or shortly after, discontinuation of the
6.4 SUBSTANCE/MEDICATION-INDUCED SLEEP substance/medication.
DISORDER
Diagnostic Criteria Gender-Related Diagnostic issues in
A. A prominent and severe disturbance in sleep. Substance/Medication-Induced Sleep Disorder
B. There is evidence from tiie history, physical • Gender-specific prevalences (i.e., females affected
examination, or laboratory findings of both more than males at a ratio of about 2:1) existfor
(1)and (2): patterns of consumption of some substances (e.g.,
1. The symptoms in Criterion A developed alcohol). The same amount and duration of
during or soon after substance intoxication or after consumption of a given substance may lead to highly
withdrawal from or exposure to a medication. different sleep-related outcomes in males and
2. The involved substance/medication is capable females based on, for example, gender-specific
of producing the symptoms in Criterion A. differences in hepatic functioning
Diagnostic Criteria
C. The disturbance is not better explained by a sleep Functional Consequences of
disorder that is not substance/medication-induced. Such Substance/Medication-induced Sleep Disorder
evidence of an independent sleep disorder could include • While there are many functional consequences
the following: associated with sleep disorders, the only unique
The symptoms precede the onset of the consequence for substance/medication-induced
substance/medication use; the symptoms persist for a sleep disorder is increased risk for relapse. The
substantial period of time (e.g., about 1 month) after the degree of sleep disturbance during alcohol
cessation of acute withdrawal or severe intoxication; or withdrawal (e.g., REM sleep rebound predicts risk of
there is other evidence suggesting the existence of an relapse of drinking). Monitoring of sleep quality and
independent non-substance/medication-induced sleep daytime sleepiness during and after withdrawal may
disorder (e.g., a history of recurrent non- provide clinically meaningful information on whether
substance/medication-related episodes). an individual is at increased risk for relapse.

D. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the Differential Diagnosis of Substance/Medication-
course of a delirium. induced Sleep Disorder
E. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or • Substance intoxication or substance withdrawal.
impairment in social, occupational, or other important Sleep disturbances are commonly encountered in
areas of functioning.

DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 - 15 –


the context of substance intoxication or substance class. The other specified hypersomnolence disorder
discontinuation/withdrawal. category is used in situations in which the clinician
• A diagnosis of substance/medication-induced sleep chooses to communicate the specific reason that the
disorder should be made instead of a diagnosis of presentation does not meet the criteria for
substance intoxication or substance withdrawal only hypersomnolence disorder or any specific sleep-
when the sleep disturbance is predominant in the wake disorder.
clinical picture and is sufficiently severe to warrant
independent clinical attention. Unspecified Hypersomnolence Disorder
• Delirium. If the substance/medication-induced sleep • This category applies to presentations in which
disturbance occurs exclusively during symptoms characteristic of hypersomnolence
• the course of a delirium, it is not diagnosed disorder that cause clinically significant distress or
separately. impairment in social, occupational, or other important
• Other sleep disorders. A substance/medication- areas of functioning predominate but do not meet the
induced sleep disorder is distinguished from another full criteria for hypersomnolence disorder or any of
sleep disorder if a substance/medication is judged to the disorders in the sleep-wake disorders diagnostic
be etiologically related to the symptoms. class.
• Sleep disorder due to another medical condition. • The unspecified hypersomnolence disorder category
Substance/medication-induced sleep disorder and is used in situations in which the clinician chooses
sleep disorder associated with another medical not to specify the reason that the criteria are not met
condition may produce similar symptoms of for hypersomnolencedisorder or a specific sleep-
insomnia, daytime sleepiness, or a parasomnia wake disorder, and includes presentations in which
there is insufficient information to make a more
Other Specified Insomnia Disorder specific diagnosis.
• Examples of presentations that can be specified
using the “other specified” designation Other Specified Sleep-Wake Disorder
• include the following: • This category applies to presentations in which
• 1. Brief insomnia disorder: Duration is less than 3 symptoms characteristic of a sleep-wake disorder
months. that cause clinically significant distress or impairment
• 2. Restricted to nonrestorative sleep: Predominant in social, occupational, or other important areas of
complaint is nonrestorative sleep unaccompanied by functioning predominate but do not meet the full
other sleep symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep criteria for any of the disorders in the sleep-wake
or remaining asleep. disorders diagnostic class and do not qualify for a
diagnosis of other specified insomnia disorder or
Unspecified Insomnia Disorder other specified hypersomnolence disorder
• This category applies to presentations in which
symptoms characteristic of insomnia disorder that Unspecified Sleep-Wake Disorder
cause clinically significant distress or impairment in • This category applies to presentations in which
social, occupational, or other important areas of symptoms characteristic of a sleep-wake disorder
functioning predominate but do not meet the full that cause clinically significant distress or impairment
criteria for insomnia disorder or any of the disorders in social, occupational, or other Important areas of
in the sleep-wake disorders diagnostic class. The functioning predominate but do not meet the full
unspecified insomnia disorder category is used in criteria for any of the disorders in the sleep-wake
situations in which the clinician chooses not to disorders diagnostic class and do not qualify for a
specify the reason that the criteria are not met for diagnosis of unspecified insomnia disorder or
insomnia disorder or a specific sleep-wake disorder, unspecified hypersomnolence disorder.
and includes presentations in which there is
insufficient information to make a more specific
diagnosis.

Other Specified Hypersomnolence Disorder


• This category applies to presentations in which
symptoms characteristic of hypersomnolence
disorder that cause clinically significant distress or
impairment in social, occupational, or other important
areas of functioning predominate but do not meet the
full criteria for hypersomnolence disorder or any of
the disorders in the sleep-wake disorders diagnostic

DR. CARL E. BALITA REVIEW CENTER TEL. NO. 735-4098 - 16 –

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