Overview of Shift Work Disorder

Shift work sleeping disorder, also known as shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), is a disruptive circadian rhythm disorder that stems from the demands of shift work. While not everyone who works non-traditional hours experiences this disorder, it is common enough among those who work irregular, long, or night shifts to warrant its own classification.

SWSD causes sleep deprivation, leading to a range of symptoms that align with those of sleep deprivation itself:

• Chronic fatigue
• Mental fogginess
• Insomnia
• Decreased performance in various aspects of life
• Difficulty managing stress
• Lower tolerance for pain
• Chronic irritability or a short temper
• Increased susceptibility to illness

Sleep deprivation poses significant risks, including a decrease in life expectancy, a lower quality of life, and various health complications. In the following sections, we will delve further into the specific risks associated with shift work sleep disorder.

Stay tuned to learn more about the potential consequences of SWSD.

Common Alaskan Shift Work Occupations

Shift workers fulfill any of the following requirements:

• Work a non-normal daytime shift, such as outside the 7ish-6ish time
• Work in large chunks of on-off time
• Work non-consistent hours, such as rotating shift-work

Alaska is particularly ripe with shift work because of our two distinct seasons, extreme lighting conditions, and infrastructure. Common shift working occupations in Alaska includes:

• Pilots
• Construction workers
• Fishing industry workers
• Oil and gas workers on the slope
• Deputies in rural Alaska

Other shift working occupations that are common everywhere include:

• Medical professionals
• Law enforcement
• Firefighters
• Retail

Shift work can be beneficial for several reasons. Generally shift work pays better that similar jobs at typical schedules. You also have the ability to have stretches of time with no work. Of course, shift work can come at the cost of healthy sleep, and shift workers should be especially diligent in building good sleep schedules.

Sleep and Health Risks of Shift Work

Shift workers who experience shift work sleep disorder are at increased risk for a variety of chronic illnesses due to sleep deprivation, such as [National Sleep Foundation]:

• Heart disease
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Ulcers
• Metabolic syndrome
• Addiction to painkillers (pain is significantly higher in people with chronic sleep deprivation)

There are also psychological concerns with shift work, such as:

• Low morale from impacted social life
• Risk of depressive mood syndromes

Shift workers are also more prone to developing other sleeping disorders such as:

• Circadian rhythm disorders
• Insomnia

Finally, sleep deprivation and fatigue are major safety concerns – especially in high risk industries that are common in Alaska, such as fishing and the aviation industry. This is because fatigue dramatically impacts decision making and reaction times. For example, driving home after a 24 hour shift poses similar safety concerns as if you were driving drunk.

Preventing or Improving Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Improving or preventing shift work sleep disorder can be especially challenging, and it usually requires you to set hard boundaries with yourself and/or your employer:

• Try not to work a number of night shifts in a row
• Avoid frequently rotating shifts
• Try to avoid long commutes
• Ensure that you have a sleep room that is ideal for sleep: dark, quiet, and clean
• Try and get consistent exercise on non-shift days
• Set a bedtime that you adhere too religiously – try to keep same bedtime even on non-work days
• Have a consistent bedtime routine in the 30 minutes before bed every night
• Avoid oversleeping on non-work days
• Avoid excessive screen use before bed, especially on work days at it will delay sleep
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, as they can delay sleep
• Invest in a comfortable bed, sheets, and pillow

Having a sleep schedule and sleep routine is of particular importance, as are exercise and health diet/drinking habits. One of the major challenges in dealing with this disorder are:

• You have to work around your shift work schedule
• One of the primary side effects of this disorder are reduced discipline

For example, binge sleeping is a common problem for people who have this disorder. While it feels good temporarily, it actually tends to perpetuate the sleep deprivation cycle and does not combat sleep deprivation. Consistent, healthy sleep patterns are the best way to improve shift work sleep disorder.

If you are a shift worker in Alaska and are concerned you have SWSD, please consult with one of our sleep specialists by clicking the orange button below to take a free online sleep test.