Sleep Dysfunction in Women Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Jan 31, 2019
  • Author: Gila Hertz, PhD, ABSM; Chief Editor: Selim R Benbadis, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

The following should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of sleep dysfunction in women:

  • Primary insomnia should be differentiated from depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and circadian rhythm disorder

  • Workup for sleep-maintenance insomnia should rule out PLMD and SDB

  • Sleep disturbance due to vasomotor symptoms should be differentiated from hormonal abnormalities

  • Abnormal behavior during sleep should be differentiated from nocturnal seizure disorder and REM sleep behavior disorder

  • The workup of excessive daytime sleepiness should include narcolepsy, SDB, and atypical depression

  • Parasomnias

Differential Diagnoses