Psychiatric disorders associated with disturbed sleep

Abstract

Disturbed sleep is a feature of many psychiatric disorders. When clinicians are investigating insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as parasomnia, they need to consider whether these complaints might be secondary to a psychiatric process. The association that is best supported by scientific evidence is between insomnia and mood disorders. Nonetheless, other psychiatric conditions including anxiety, psychosis, chemical dependency, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are closely linked with alteration in sleep quality and quantity. Treatment plans should take into account the nature of sleep symptomatology as well as the effect of medications on sleep. Ideally, management should include a combination of medications and behavioral treatment.