What Causes Circadian Rhythm Disorders?

Issues With Mental Health

Issues with mental health, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are all associated with disruptions in an individual's circadian rhythm. Researchers are still debating whether the issues with mental health cause the circadian rhythm disturbances or whether the circadian rhythm disorders themselves could trigger some types of mental health issues. Patients with mental health issues may have their circadian rhythm impacted in various ways. For example, some patients with depression will sleep longer than normal for them, and other depressed individuals may struggle with insomnia. Many patients with bipolar disorder who are experiencing an episode of mania could also struggle with insomnia and stay up for long periods at night. Normally, treatment for the mental health condition itself can help in resolving circadian rhythm problems, and patients may benefit from a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Keeping a sleep diary could be useful for patients with mental health conditions as it allows them to notice patterns in their sleeping and waking cycles. This information may be helpful to the patient's healthcare team as they work to design an appropriate treatment plan.

Get familiar with more causes of circadian rhythm disorders now.

Shift Work

Shift work may cause an employee to have to work at odd hours of the day or night, and some shift workers may have to work through the night for years. Circadian rhythm disorders are so common among shift workers that the term 'shift-work sleep disorder' was coined to describe the particular disruptions that plague these employees. In particular, employees who work on a rotating schedule pattern face an especially high risk of developing this type of sleep disorder. While those who work the night shift regularly may be able to adjust their sleep patterns, rotating work schedules don't allow an individual to have a regular time frame for their work, and this can result in both insomnia and daytime sleepiness. To reduce the risk of this type of circadian disruption, individuals should aim to have a regular working schedule whenever this is possible, and they should eat healthy meals at regular intervals to help reset their body clock. If necessary, a sleep specialist can help shift workers with getting higher-quality, more restful sleep.

Uncover details on more reasons circadian rhythm disorders may occur now.