Shift Work Disorder
Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Shift work disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that affects people who work nights, early mornings or rotating shifts. When your work hours conflict with your internal body clock, it becomes hard to sleep when you need to and hard to stay alert when you need to be awake. Nurses, first responders, pilots, factory and hospitality workers are commonly affected.
Signs of shift work disorder:
- Trouble falling or staying asleep during the day
- Excessive sleepiness during work hours or on the drive home
- Reduced concentration, errors or near-misses at work
- Irritability, low mood or headaches
- Relying on caffeine to get through a shift
Diagnosis & Treatment
How we evaluate shift work disorder
We review your work schedule, sleep timing and habits, often with a sleep diary or wrist activity monitor. Because other conditions such as sleep apnea or narcolepsy can cause similar sleepiness, we may recommend a sleep study.
Treatment options
- A personalized sleep schedule, including a consistent “anchor” sleep period
- Strategic napping before or during shifts
- Timed light exposure: bright light during your shift and blocking light (such as dark glasses) on the way home
- A dark, quiet, cool bedroom and protected sleep time
- Melatonin timed to your schedule in selected cases
- Wake-promoting medication when sleepiness persists despite these measures
See also: Insomnia · Narcolepsy