Sleep disorders are responsable for many adverse outcomes on people's lives by reducing their daily functioning, increasing psychiatric disorders susceptibility, cognitive deficits, onset and aggravation of health problems, traffic accident risks, work absenteeism, and by diminishing the quality of life. This study was aimed to review the specialized literature about the characteristics of the sleep disturbances that present greater incidence in the general population, and its implications on affected people's behaviors, daily routine and quality of life. Sleep disorders were found to trigger adverse outcomes to people's health and well being by disturbing their work, cognition, relationship and daily functioning, with multiple unfolding in short, medium and long time.
activities of daily living; sleep disorders; quality of life