Shift Workers Disorder

Shift Work Disorder occurs in patients who have evening shifts, night shifts, early morning shifts, rotating shifts, etc. and can lead to insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness.  It is estimated that almost 20% of the workforce performs some form of shift work.  Consequences of untreated Shift Work Disorder can lead to impairment in performance at work, reduced alertness which can have significant safety ramifications, significant fatigue and poor quality of life.  There is concern that untreated Shift Work Disorder can have lasting chronic sleep disturbances.