Published on: 6/12/2025
What are the 5 main types of sleep disorders and their characteristics?
The five main types of sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disorders. Each affects sleep differently, from trouble falling asleep to issues with staying awake during the day.
Explanation
Sleep disorders can affect how well you sleep and how you feel during the day. Here are the five main types:
Insomnia: This is when you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. It can make you feel tired during the day and affect your mood and energy.
Sleep Apnea: This disorder causes you to stop breathing for short periods while you sleep. It can make you snore loudly and feel sleepy during the day because your sleep is interrupted.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): RLS makes you feel like you need to move your legs, especially at night. This can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Narcolepsy: This causes you to feel very sleepy during the day and can make you fall asleep suddenly, even if you are in the middle of doing something.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders: These disorders affect your internal body clock, causing you to feel sleepy at the wrong times. This can happen if you travel across time zones or work night shifts.
Understanding these sleep disorders can help you recognize if you might need to talk to a doctor about your sleep problems.
(References)
- Chokroverty S. (2010). Overview of sleep & sleep disorders. The Indian journal of medical research, 20308738.
- Holder S, & Narula NS. (2022). Common Sleep Disorders in Adults: Diagnosis and .... American family physician, 35426627.
- Sateia MJ. (2014). International classification of sleep disorders-third edition. Chest, 25367475.
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