Sleep disorders — left unmanaged — have safety implications for our workplaces and on our roads. Drivers with sleep disorders are more than twice as likely to be involved in road traffic accidents. Sleep disorders pose a risk for poor mental health and declining physical health, too.
The Australian Raine Study found that by middle age, some 43% of middle-aged adults will have at least one sleep disorder severe enough to require clinical management such as sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome or insomnia.
Amy Reynolds is Associate Professor (Research) at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (Sleep Health) at Flinders University. Her key research focus is the experiences of shift workers living with sleep problems, many of whom are undiagnosed and untreated for extended periods.
Her most recent work has focused on the impacts of sleep disorders in young shift workers, particularly on their mental health and workplace productivity.
“Our research highlights the consequences are significant for mental health and for workplace productivity, and this starts from early in a young worker’s career. We need to do better to help young shift workers who might be at risk for a sleep disorder,” A/Prof Reynolds explains.
Asleep on the job: sleep disorders in shift workers largely undiagnosed
Having taken an in-depth look at shift workers, A/Prof Reynolds’ work has found that sleep disorders can be undiagnosed and untreated for extended periods. It’s not uncommon for shift workers to have gone more than five years before they seek help from a healthcare provider after noticing symptoms.
“Being symptomatic for years without access to effective treatments poses a potential risk for road safety and impacts the quality of life, mental health and wellbeing of our shift workers,” she says.
“We want to see this change.”
“What we know from our research here at Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI Sleep Health) is that many shift workers assume bad sleep is something they have to endure. They can perceive that the shift itself is the problem, instead of considering whether there is an underlying disorder that could be treated. The good news is – we can do something about this.”
Sleep disorder screening a first step, says A/Prof Reynolds
Shift workers who suspect they have symptoms of sleep disorder can take immediate action, says A/Prof Reynolds.
“We want to encourage shift workers who may be experiencing the signs and symptoms of sleep disorder to engage with screening and management. There are options available, and talking to your GP is an important first step. The AISH Sleep Health Clinic at Flinders University also has experts in sleep and circadian rhythms and can take referrals for shift workers.”
Read more about sleep disorders, including in shift workers:
Prevalence of common sleep disorders in a middle-aged community sample.
Read about the impacts of sleep disorders shift workers, particularly for their mental health and workplace productivity in A/Prof Reynolds’ most recent work:
Diagnosis and management of sleep disorders in shift workers.
Shift work, sleep disorders and mental health.
Insomnia and workplace productivity loss among young adults.
The AISH Sleep Health Clinic at Flinders University has experts in sleep and circadian rhythms.
