SLEEPING
Stages of Sleep
Distinctive changes in the electrical
activity of the brain and accompanying
physiological responses of the body that
occur as you pass through sleep phases
Stages of Sleep
Electrical changes are measured via
EEG
Electroencephalogram
Stages of Sleep
Alpha Stage
Pre-Stage 1
Marked by feelings of being relaxed and
drowsy, usually with eyes closed
Stage 1
Transition from wakefulness to sleep
Lose responsiveness & begin sleeping
If awoken: “I wasn’t sleeping.”
Stages of Sleep
Stage 2
First real stage of actual sleep
Stages 3 & 4
Deep sleep
More and more difficult to be awakened
Physiological functions slow down
Stages of Sleep
Stages 1 – 4
Non-REM sleep (nREM)
Rapid Eye Movement
80% of sleep is spent in these stages
Stages of Sleep
REM Sleep
20% of sleep time
Eyes move quickly back and forth behind
closed lids
Similar EEG pattern as when awake
Physiologically aroused
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Stages of Sleep
REM sleep (continued)
All voluntary muscles are paralyzed
Paradoxical Sleep
Time when you dream
Wake during REM = remember dream
In REM 5-6 times per night
Each period is 15-45 minutes
Get longer throughout the night
Movement Through Stages
Like a “roller coaster ride…”
1,2,3,4,3,2,REM
2,3,4,3,2,REM
2,3,2,REM
2,REM
2,REM
1
REM Rebound
Refers to individuals spending an
increased percentage of time in REM
sleep if they were deprived of REM on
previous nights
May indicate a need for REM
A need to dream…?
How Much Sleep Do I Need?
Infants
80% or more time is spent sleeping
50% of time in REM sleep
Approximately 17 hours per day
(GROWTH!)
Children
40% of time spent sleeping
30% in REM sleep
How Much Sleep Do I Need?
Adolescence
Need more sleep!
10 hours per night
Circadian clocks favor going to bed later
and getting up later
Sleep deprivation affects AM performance
How Much Sleep Do I Need?
Adulthood
Need 7-8 hours per night
Less than 20% is spent in REM
Old Age
6.5 hours per day
Slightly less REM than adults
Often report trouble getting to sleep and
staying asleep (due to daytime napping,
health, etc.)
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
On Body
Decreased immune functioning
On Brain
Irritability & Moodiness
Unhappiness
Interferes with tasks that require concentration
Hallucinations (extreme deprivation)
Sleep Disorders
Axis I psychological disorders
Disrupt functioning
Occupational, academic, social, personal
care, etc.
INSOMNIA
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep,
or getting a restful sleep
Treatments:
Environmental change
Medications
Therapy to reduce anxiety
Drug Treatments:
Benzodiazepines
Examples: Xanax, Valium, Ativan
Effective in short-term (3-4 weeks)
Prolonged use…
Daytime drowsiness, loss of memory,
tolerance, and dependence
Also help to reduce anxiety
Drug Treatments:
Non-Benzodiazepines
Examples: Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta,
Rozerem
Fewer side effects
Rapid-acting
Ambien CR (controlled release)
2 parts…help getting to sleep & staying
asleep
Sleep Apnea
Obstruction of air passages and halted
breathing with alternates with loud
snoring and moments of “wakefulness”
Treatments:
CPAP Mask (continuous positive airway
pressure)
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea
CPAP Masks
Other Sleep Disorders
Hypersomnia
Excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking up
Narcolepsy
Falling asleep is sudden and unpredictable
Biological cause
Accompanied by some muscle tone loss
Other Sleep Disorders
Nightmare Disorder
Elaborate, frightening dreams that occur
during REM sleep
Sleep Terror Disorder
Episodes during nREM (stages 3 & 4) that
cause intense arousal and fright
Nighttime panic attack
No memory of episode in morning
Other Sleep Disorders
Sleepwalking Disorder
Occurs during nREM (stages 3 & 4) and
can involve actions from sitting up to
walking around and doing things
Can be dangerous…
Does not occur during DREAMING
Establishing an
Optimal Sleep Pattern
Go to bed only when tired
Turn lights out immediately
Do not read or watch TV
After 20 minutes…
Repeat as often as required
Establishing an
Optimal Sleep Pattern
Set the alarm for the same time each
morning
Do not nap during the day
After several weeks…
If sleep is no better, see a doctor for
evaluation