Common Sleep Problems in College Students

Presenters:

• William (Bill) Moorcroft, PhD, self-employed (Northern Colorado Sleep Consultants, LLC)

About the topic

College students frequently complain that sleep problems negatively affect their academic endeavors (25.6% on the ACHA-National College Health Assessment, Spring 2008). This complaint is exceeded only by stress (33.9%) and colds/flu/sore throat (28.8%). Aside from not devoting enough time to sleep, the most common sleep problems in college students are circadian sleep clock phase delay, insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy. Noteworthy, but less prevalent, are parasomnias such as nightmares and sleepwalking. All of these sleep problems are not only debilitating to students but are often frustrating and challenging for health care professionals to treat. We will explore causes of and treatment possibilites for circadian sleep clock phase delay, insomnia, and nightmares, but also be open to your specific questions about other sleep problems in college students. At the end you will be better prepared to begin to help students with these problems.