Shift work sleep disorder is a sleep disorder that affects people who works in rotating shifts or work at night. Schedules of these people go against the body's natural circadian rhythm, and individuals have difficulty adjusting to the different sleep and wake schedule. SWSD consists of a constant or recurrent pattern of sleep interruption that results in difficulty sleeping or excessive sleepiness. This disorder is common in people who work non-traditional hours, usually between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
The symptoms of shift work disorder usually last as long as you keep the shift work schedule. The sleep problems tend to go away once one is begin sleeping at a normal time again. Some people may have sleep problems even after the shift work schedule ends. Shift work disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Circadian rhythms are body’s internal clock that signals when one supposed to feel sleepy or alert. Circadian rhythms operate on a roughly 24-hour schedule. Our body uses sunlight to determine how much of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin it produces. In shift work disorder, melatonin production may occur when you need to be awake and alert for your job. Exposure to sunlight may prevent you from producing melatonin when one is supposed to sleep.
Related Journals of Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Journal of Neuropsychiatry, Clinical and Experimental Psychology, Brain Disorders & Therapy, Sleep and Biological Rhythms, Sleep Medicine Reviews, Sleep Science, Sleep and Hypnosis, Sleep Medicine Clinics, Sleep and Breathing.