sleep onset association disorder
A behavioral sleep disorder where an individual requires specific conditions or objects to fall asleep.
Full Definition
Sleep onset association disorder, classified under behavioral insomnias of childhood but also affecting adults, occurs when sleep initiation becomes dependent on specific environmental conditions, objects, or parental presence. The individual cannot fall asleep without these learned associations and typically awakens when they are absent. Common examples include requiring rocking, feeding, or parental presence to sleep. This disorder differs from other insomnias because sleep quality is normal once the required conditions are met, but sleep onset is impossible without them.
Usage
Usage note: Primarily pediatric but can occur in adults; distinguish from environmental sleep disorder.
In Context
- "The child's sleep onset association disorder required gradual weaning from parental presence at bedtime." — Pediatric sleep consultation
- "Adult cases of sleep onset association disorder often involve specific environmental requirements like particular sounds or lighting." — Sleep medicine assessment