Do most sleep disorders go away without treatment and how serious is the problem?

Sleep disorders often don't disappear without treatment. Many people don't realize that they can get help for their problem. Untreated sleep disorders can have a negative impact on our performance at work and at school, create problems in relationships, and even lead to accidents and death.

Nearly two-thirds of American adults experienced a sleep problem a few nights per week during the past year. Falling asleep at the wheel is a devastating problem on our highways. Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation are estimated to cost more than $15.9 billion directly (through healthcare and medication costs), and between $50 billion and $100 billion indirectly (through costs associated with, for example, lost productivity, accidents, and death). So, yes, sleeplessness really is a serious problem.