What is shift work disorder (SWD)?

SWD is a recognized medical condition that can be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

SWD occurs when your body's internal sleep-wake clock is out of sync with your work schedule—your body is telling you to go to sleep when your work schedule needs you to stay awake. Because of this disruption of your body's natural rhythm, people with SWD often struggle to stay awake during their waking hours, or have trouble sleeping during their sleeping hours.

Why is it important to see a doctor about shift work disorder?

SWD can lead to other issues²:

• Trouble focusing
• Sleepiness-related accidents
• Reduced work performance
• Missed family and social activities
• Increased irritability
• Worsening of heart and stomach disorders

How common is shift work disorder?

You may be surprised to know that approximately 15 million Americans perform some type of nonstandard shift work, and approximately 10% to 25% of night- and/or rotating-shift workers suffer from SWD.^3-5

That means as many as 1 out of every 4 people who work night or rotating shifts may be suffering from the impact of SWD.^4-6

Who is at risk for shift work disorder?

While SWD can affect men and women of all ages, some factors may cause even greater problems coping with symptoms.¹

• Age greater than 50 years
• History of sleep disorders
• History of stomach disorders
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

Are you working shifts?

If you work night, early morning, or rotating shifts, your work schedule may be causing your circadian rhythm to be out of sync. Nonstandard shifts have become very common in today's workplace.

What can you do to help manage your symptoms?

Only a change in shift work can resolve SWD, but there are some things you can do to try to cope with your symptoms:

• Avoid caffeinated foods and beverages before bedtime
• Turning on bright lights may help diminish drowsiness when you need to be awake
• Eliminate noise and light from your sleep area
• Try to stick to your sleep and wake schedule, even on weekends

Talk to your doctor

Be sure to point out specifics:

• Let him or her know about your work schedule
• What hours you work
• If you work shifts/non-traditional work hours
• If you have had any changes in your work schedule
• Tell your doctor if you feel that your excessive sleepiness is interfering with your job routine
• When and where you feel sleepy
• Things you do to stay awake (like drinking coffee, soda, or energy drinks)
• How it affects your job or personal life
• If you plan your life around sleepiness

While NUVIGIL^® (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV] are used to improve wakefulness in patients with SWD, they are not used to treat SWD itself or its other symptoms or consequences.

References: 1. Kryger MH, Roth T, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practices of Sleep Medicine. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2005. 2. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and Coding Manual. 2nd ed. Westchester, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2005. 3. US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers on flexible and shift schedules. Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/flex.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2009. 4. Ohayon MM, Lemoine P, Arnaud-Briant V, Dreyfus M. Prevalence and consequences of sleep disorders in a shift worker population. J Psychosom Res. 2002;53(1):577-583. 5. Waage S, Moen BE, Pallesen S, et al. Shift work disorder among oil rig workers in the North Sea. Sleep. 2009;32(4):558-565. 6. Drake CL, Roehrs T, Richardson G, Walsh JK, Roth T. Shift work sleep disorder: prevalence and consequences beyond that of symptomatic day workers. Sleep. 2004;27(8):1453-1462.