SLEEP–WAKE DISORDERS

Poor sleep can show up as trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, or feeling excessively sleepy during the day. When these problems persist despite healthy habits, a professional evaluation can help. At Interventional Psychiatry Group, we assess and treat common sleep–wake disorders and address mental-health conditions that often disrupt sleep.
What is a sleep–wake disorder?
“Sleep–wake disorders” include conditions that affect the quality, timing, or amount of sleep—often leading to daytime impairment (fatigue, concentration problems, mood changes, reduced performance).
Common sleep–wake disorders include:

  • Insomnia disorder – Ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep ≥3 nights per week for ≥3 months, with daytime impact.
  • Narcolepsy – Recurrent, hard-to-resist sleep episodes or sudden lapses into sleep ≥3 times per week for ≥3 months. May include cataplexy (brief loss of muscle tone while awake), low hypocretin, and sleep studies showing unusually fast entry into REM sleep.
  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) – Uncomfortable sensations in the legs that create a strong urge to move, typically worse at rest/evening and eased by movement.
  • Sleep apnea – Repeated pauses in breathing during sleep (often with snoring, gasping, or witnessed apneas) confirmed by a sleep study; commonly causes non-restorative sleep and daytime sleepiness.
  • Panic Disorder involves sudden, recurrent panic attacks with symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, and fear of losing control.
  • Agoraphobia features fear of situations like public transport, crowds, or leaving home, often leading to avoidance.

What treatments help manage sleep–wake disorders?
Effective care depends on the specific diagnosis and your overall health:

  • Lifestyle & sleep hygiene: Reduce late caffeine, keep a consistent sleep schedule, wind down without screens, and build a calming bedtime routine.
  • Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is first-line for chronic insomnia.
  • Medications: When appropriate, targeted pharmacotherapy can reduce insomnia, daytime sleepiness, or RLS symptoms.
  • Condition-specific care:
  • Sleep apnea: CPAP or oral appliances, weight management, and ENT/dental or sleep-medicine referrals.
  • RLS: Check and treat iron deficiency; consider RLS-specific medications.
  • Narcolepsy: Wake-promoting agents, scheduled naps, and safety planning.

Because sleep issues frequently occur alongside depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions, we also provide comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and medication management. When specialized therapy or a formal sleep study is indicated, we coordinate referrals to trusted sleep-medicine partners.
Restful sleep is foundational to health and quality of life. Call Interventional Psychiatry Group at 901-752-4900 to schedule an evaluation, or request an appointment online.
The information above is for educational purposes only. A professional evaluation is required for diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.