Class offers assistance for those with sleeping disorders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORC BASE, Mont. --  A sleeping seminar is being offered monthly at the clinic by the Life Skills staff. The seminar discusses sleeping disorders, what causes them and ways to help overcome them. 

"Insomnia and general sleep complaints are one of the more common problems seen in the family medicine clinic," said Maj. Robby Wyatt, 341st Medical Operations Squadron psychiatrist. 

Age and location are two possible reasons so many members of Team Malmstrom are affected by sleeping disorders. 

"Roughly 50 percent of our active-duty population fall into the 17- to 20-year-old range and certain types of sleep problems are very common in this age group, specifically circadian rhythm sleep disorders," Major Wyatt said. "Also, being this far north, there are reasonably dramatic changes in the amount of sunlight we are exposed to, ranging from very limited sunlight in the winter to somewhat excessive sunlight in the summer, which also contributes to sleep difficulty." 

Other factors may also contribute to sleeping disorders, but treatment options are available. 

"Behavioral and educational treatment, such as this seminar, are consistently found to be the safest treatment options and provide for the best long term results," Major Wyatt said. 

Some of the goals of the seminar are to educate people regarding sleep, in general, and to give attendees the tools to correct bad habits, learn behavioral and relaxation techniques to improve sleep, and to discuss myths about sleep and sleeping disorders.
Many people in the United States are affected by sleeping disorders. 

"A vast majority of the U.S. population experience some level of sleep disturbance twice a week on average," Major Wyatt said. "That's not necessary indicative of everyone having a sleep disorder, however it does indicate just how prevalent sleep complaints are. Certain age groups are more susceptible to certain sleep disorders, but all age groups can be affected. Sleep disorders, in general, are very common." 

"My hope is to primarily educate people about sleep and what impacts their sleep," Major Wyatt said. "Secondly, I hope to empower people to improve their sleep utilizing the behavioral and relaxation techniques reviewed." 

The next sleeping seminar will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday at the clinic.
For more information or to sign up to attend, call Life Skills at 731-4451.