title: Dissociative symptoms and sleep parameters--an all-night polysomnography study in patients with insomnia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dissociative disorders encompass a range of symptoms varying from severe absent-mindedness and memory problems to confusion about one's own identity. Recent studies suggest that these symptoms may be the by-products of a labile sleep-wake cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the current study, we explored this issue in patients suffering from insomnia (N=46). We investigated whether these patients have raised levels of dissociative symptoms and whether these are related to objective sleep parameters. Patients stayed for at least one night in a specialized sleep clinic, while sleep EEG data were obtained. In addition, they completed self-report measures on dissociative symptoms, psychological problems, and sleep characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dissociative symptom levels were elevated in patients suffering from insomnia, and were correlated with unusual sleep experiences and poor sleep quality. Longer REM sleep periods and less time spent awake during the night were predictive of dissociation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to show that insomnia patients have raised dissociative symptom levels and that their dissociative symptoms are related to objective EEG parameters. These findings are important because they may inspire sleep-related treatment methods for dissociative disorders.
authors: Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. Dalena.vanderkloet@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors: Dalena
authors: D
authors: Van Der Kloet
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Giesbrecht
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Franck
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Van Gastel
authors: Ilse
authors: I
authors: De Volder
authors: Filip
authors: F
authors: Van Den Eede
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Verschuere
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Merckelbach
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*