Shift-Work is Becoming More Prevalent in the Job Market and with it Sleep Disorders are Becoming More Common
Shift-workers now make up 15% of the job-market as many are willing to accept the alternative schedule for higher pay and a chance to bring in extra income for their families. Many are unaware that the sleep-deprivation caused by shift-work is recognized as a circadian rhythm sleep disorder in both the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Middle-aged men in high-stress professions including first-responders have a particularly high risk of developing a sleep disorder and other health complications according to a 2018 study done at the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders in Boston, MA.
Shift Work Can Cause Many Different Kinds of Sleep Disorders
Circadian sleep disorders describe an inability to fall asleep at any desired time and usually occur when there is a “mismatch between the clock hour at which sleep is attempted and the underlying biological time at which sleep is promoted by the circadian timing system”. Many shift workers fall into this category, however, others also develop insomnia which is generally characterized by a difficulty initiating sleep but can also include a difficulty maintaining sleep, waking up earlier than normal with an inability to fall back asleep and resisting a healthy sleep schedule.
Another Sleep Disorder that can develop with shift-work is Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) which carries tremendous workplace risks that should be taken seriously by employers due to the syndrome’s impact on neurocognitive functioning. Several studies indicate that Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has an adverse effect on inductive and deductive reasoning, attention, vigilance, learning, and memory which are all vital functions for the average shift-worker.
Even Shift-Workers Have Time to Take Care of Their Mental Health
There is a need for shift-workers to recognize and prioritize their mental health including sleep disorders. Limited access to proper treatment facilities and limited time with which to attend appointments for Circadian Sleep Disorders, OSAS, Insomnia and Chronic Sleep Insufficiency contribute to the prevalence of these disorders. Gastrointestinal disorders, greater likelihood of depression, and increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease are just some of the adverse consequences that can develop if these Sleep Disorders go untreated.
Mental Health Care Does Not Necessarily Mean Down-Time or Medication
It may help to promote the fact that treating Sleep Disorders does not always have to involve significant time off work or medication. Centerway Behavioral Health believes in developing individualized treatment plans that suit the patient’s lifestyle. Contact us to learn more about our approach and the Sleep Disorders we can provide treatment plans for.