Sleep is a biological function that remains a mystery. Diagnosing sleep disturbance and its cause is the most important step in restoring healthy sleep, but there is little agreement, even among experts, on the best methods for effectively assessing a patient's sleep disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) groups sleep disorders into two major categories, Dyssomnias and Parasomnias. Problems with sleep are diagnosed at a Sleep Disorder Center.
             One of the major categories of sleep disorders from the DSM is Dyssomnias. They are characterized by disturbances in the amount, quality and timing of sleep. Dyssomnias are divided into five separate categories, Insomnia, Primary Hypersomnia, Narcolepsy, Breathing Related Sleep Disorder, and Circadian Rhythm Sleep (Greene, p.369).
             Insomnia, derives from the Latin in meaning "not" or without" and somnus meaning, "sleep" (Greene, p.369). Occasional bouts of insomnia are normal, especially during times of stress. Symptoms of insomnia include inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night, waking up earlier than usual, and daytime fatigue (http://www.content.health.msn.com/). Nine to fifteen percent of adults complain of chronic fatigue. Insomnia affects more older than younger people and more women than men (Greene, p.369). Primary Insomnia is chronic insomnia that cannot be accounted for by another psychological or physical disorder. Prevalence of primary insomnia is unknown, but it is considered the most common form of sleep disturbance (Greene, p.369).
             Primary Hypersomnia, Greek hyper meaning "over" or "more than normal" and Latin somnus meaning sleep (Greene, p.369). It involves a pattern of excessive sleepiness during the day that continues for a period of a month or longer. Hypersomnia may be caused by physical illness, medications, withdrawal from stimulants, or other psychological ...