A sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep.

• A. Somnambulism
• B. Substance induced disorders
• C. Sleep apnea
• D. Psychological Dependence

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is sleep-disordered breathing, specifically sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is defined by temporary cessations (pauses) in breathing during sleep due to airway obstruction or, less commonly, improper respiratory control. These pauses interrupt sleep, often causing snoring, gasping, and daytime sleepiness, and are what set sleep apnea apart from other conditions. Somnambulism involves waking behaviors like walking during sleep, not breathing pauses. Substance-induced disorders relate to the effects of drugs or withdrawal on behavior and physiology, not a primary breathing disruption during sleep. Psychological dependence is about compulsive substance use, not a sleep breathing pattern.