Discussion: Treatment of Sleep/Wake Disorders
The power of sleep to heal the body cannot be underestimated. Most research indicates that 7–8 hours of sleep are a minimum that people need to stay healthy. Clients who come to the PMHNP’s office frequently complain of sleep problems. It is estimated that 10–20% of patients report some type of sleeping problem.

In this Discussion, you will analyze the diagnostic criteria and evidence-based psychotherapy and psycho pharmacologic treatment for sleep/wake disorders.

Learning Objectives

Students will:
Analyze diagnostic criteria for sleep/wake disorders
Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psycho pharmacologic treatment for sleep/wake disorders.
Analyze criteria for referring clients to primary care physicians for treatment of sleep/wake disorders.
Compare differential diagnostic features of sleep/wake disorders.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

By Day 5 of Week 9, your Instructor will have assigned you a sleep/wake disorder, which will be the focus of your original post for this Discussion.
Explain the diagnostic criteria for your assigned sleep/wake disorder.
Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psycho pharmacologic treatment for your assigned sleep/wake disorder.
Describe at what point you would refer the client to their primary care physician for an additional referral to a neurologist, pulmonologist, or physician specializing in sleep disorders and explain why.
Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resource.
By Day 6