Feigning Sleep Disorders – A Call for Research and Clinical Consideration

Benzodiazepines, one of the most commonly prescribed class of drugs for the pharmacological treatment of sleep disorders, are controversially discussed for their adverse effects such as physical dependence and withdrawal. Because of the effects of Benzodiazepines, feigning sleep disorders, also described as malingering, may be a viable mean for individuals to get access to prescription of benzodiazepines. Surprisingly, research on feigned sleep disorders is widely lacking. The present statement paper introduces the concept of malingering, demonstrates the inapprehensible shortness of research on feigned sleep disorders, suggests approaches for malingering detection, and calls for further research.