Sleep-wake disorders are defined by disturbances to a person’s sleep patterns. Sleep disruptions impact physical, mental, and emotional health. There are 10 groups of sleep-wake disorders described in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013): insomnia, hypersomnolence disorder, narcolepsy, breathing-related sleep disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, non-rapid eye movement sleep arousal disorders, nightmare disorder, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome, and substance/medication-induced sleep disorder.
The two key symptoms of a sleep disorder are fatigue and trouble focusing. People with mental health disorders like depression often have co-occurring sleep-wake disorders. It is critical that the clinician conduct an in-depth assessment when a client presents with a sleep-wake disorder, to include among other questions the following: nutrition, energy drink and other supplement/stimulant use, exercise, trauma history, technology use patterns, social and familial relationship health, and medical history with medication history
Consider the following scenario:
Alex, a male African American adolescent aged 14, has come to therapy because he is experiencing the symptoms of a sleep-wake disorder. His sleep-wake disorder is disrupting his school work, causing absenteeism from school, and negatively impacting his social engagements due to an increase in irritability and irrational thinking.
Write out a mini script showing what you, the counselor, might say to Alex
Respond to the following prompts using your mini script.
Provide four potential questions you might ask about Alex’s current sleep hygiene.
Explain the role of counseling alongside sedative hypnotics.
Explain the long-term consequences of a sleep-wake disorder.
Include an empathetic reflection to Alex
