What are disturbances during sleep known as that can disrupt normal functioning?

Disturbances during sleep that disrupt normal functioning are best referred to as sleep disorders. This term encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect sleep quality, timing, and duration, ultimately impacting an individual’s overall health and daily functioning. Sleep disorders include issues such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy, among others.

Sleep paralysis refers specifically to the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, which is just one symptom and not a category that covers all sleep-related issues. Night terrors are a particular type of sleep disturbance that primarily affects children and involves episodes of extreme panic or fear during sleep. Somnolence is a state of drowsiness or sleepiness, but it is not used to classify sleep disturbances as disorders.

The breadth and impact of sleep disorders on health and daily life reflect the significance of the term in understanding sleep disturbances comprehensively.