ABSTRACT
The sleep–personality relationship has been studied in several ways. The personality traits of patients with sleep disorders have been reported in body of literature. Initial investigations suggested higher rates of personality and affective disorders in patients with sleep apneas. Sleep research, in particular with regards to insomnia, is continually faced with the challenges of definition, validation, and confounding variables. Initial investigations suggested higher rates of personality and affective disorders in patients with sleep apneas. The most common finding among these studies was shortened Rapid eye movement (REM) latency, increased REM density, and overall disturbance of sleep continuity. Personality assessment has revealed that harm avoidance may play a role in primary insomnia, while novelty seeking seems to increase comorbidity for sleep apneas by increasing the probability of substance abuse and obesity. Low self-directedness may influence not only the development of insomnia, but also its perpetuation.
