DEFINITION

• Sleep disruptions exist when sleep is insufficient to support adequate alertness, performance, and health, either because of reduced total sleep time or fragmentation of sleep by brief arousals.
  
  • May be volitional or involuntary
• Acute sleep deprivation refers to no sleep or a reduction in the usual total sleep time, usually lasting one or two days.
• Chronic sleep deprivation (also called sleep restriction) exists when the individual routinely sleeps less than required for optimal functioning.