EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SLEEP DISORDERS

Objectives: The prevalence of the sleep disorders (SD) estimates as 30% in population. The classification of the disorders based on ICSD 2005 criteria, includes eight main groups. They appear in children and adolescents as well. The data from literature suggest that emotional disturbances coexist with the sleep problems. The aim of the study was the estimation of the emotional processes in children and adolescents with SD.

Methods: 100 school boys and girls aged 7–18yrs of age participated in the study. They underwent two steps examination. First, they fulfilled a questionnaire of the SD. In the second part, 30 patients with diagnosed sleep disorders chosen from the examined group participated in the psychological and neurological examination. The STAI and STAIC scale, scale of impulsivity, control expression of emotions and depression used in the study.

Results: The statistical analysis shows the significant correlation between SD and the prevalence of emotional disorders – anxiety as a state, impulsivity. There was no correlation between the duration of the SD and the results of psychological tests.

Conclusion: The conclusion is that the relationship between SD and emotional disturbances is close and may have two- way phenomenon. Emotions and its disturbances can be a reason or a consequence for the SD prevalence. The diagnosis of it is an important data for the planning of the therapy of the patients with SD.