Sleep disorder is a broad term covering conditions that disrupt normal sleep quantity, quality, or timing, including insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disturbances, and parasomnias as well as sleep apnea. Persistent sleep disorders can impair daytime functioning, mood, cognition, and physical health. Depending on type and severity, they may be associated with accidents, cardiovascular disease, depression, or substance use. Evaluation often involves clinical interviews, sleep diaries, and in some cases, formal sleep studies. Treatment ranges from behavioral therapy and sleep hygiene measures to medications, devices, or specialized interventions. For insurers, the underwriting impact depends on the specific diagnosis, stability, and presence of related health or safety risks.

In underwriting, sleep disorder disclosures prompt questions about exact diagnosis, symptoms, medications, and any history of accidents or work impairment. Chronic, mild insomnia treated conservatively may have minimal impact, while narcolepsy with daytime sleep attacks or parasomnias involving dangerous behaviors can significantly increase risk. Advisors encourage clients to provide detailed physician notes and to highlight successful treatment and stable functioning. When clients report generic sleep issues without diagnosis, carriers may ask for further evaluation before issuing coverage. Understanding sleep disorders allows advisors to distinguish benign, well-managed conditions from those that materially affect mortality or disability risk and to set expectations about likely underwriting responses.