Citation

Roth T. J. Clin. Psychiatry 2012; 73(3): e09.

Affiliation

Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Hospital Sleep Center, Detroit, Michigan, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Physicians Postgraduate Press)

DOI

10.4088/JCP.11073br2

PMID

22490262

Abstract

Shift work disorder is a type of sleep disorder that occurs when an individual is unable to successfully synchronize his or her internal clock with a work schedule that requires staying awake and working when it is dark and sleeping when it is light. Approximately 10% of shift workers suffer from this disorder, which seriously impairs their ability to function. Shift work disorder is associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal problems, cancer, depression, heart disease, excessive sleepiness and accidents, and decreased productivity. This report describes the prevalence, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and clinical consequences of shift work disorder to help clinicians recognize this impairing condition.

Language: en