Delayed sleep-phase syndrome

Delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS) is a chronic, fairly common, disorder of sleep timing. People with DSPS tend to fall asleep at very late times, and also have difficulty waking up in time for normal work, school, or social needs. DSPS is treatable, but cannot be cured. It is often mistaken for other types of insomnia, and treated inappropriately. The condition usually emerges in adolescence.

Studies indicate that it is responsible for 7 -10% of cases of chronic insomnia.

DSPS treatments are meant to adjust a person’s circadian rhythm and sleep pattern. The goal of treatment is to fit the sleep pattern into a schedule that can allow the person to meet the demands of a desired lifestyle. Treatment is meant to allow the person with DSPS to wake up at a given time feeling refreshed and functional. People receiving treatment gradually adjust to an earlier bedtime with sleep therapy. This therapy usually combines proper sleep hygiene practice and external stimulus therapy such as bright light therapy and chronotherapy.

Chronotherapy is a behavioral technique in which bedtime is systematically adjusted. Bright-light therapy is designed to reset a person’s circadian rhythm to the desired pattern. When combined, these therapies might produce significant results in people with DSPS. Patients can also be treated with one medicine that puts them to sleep earlier in the evening and another medicine that helps wake them up in the morning, but this form of treatment is usually used only in extreme cases.

Melatonin can be taken in the evening to advance sleep and circadian phases. But theence on melatonin is unsure and even sleep doctors don't know the right sci dose or when it should be taken.

Related: Familial Advanced Sleep-Phase Syndrome

Sleep Disorders

Dyssomnias

Parsomnias

"It’s been a hard day’s night
I’ve been workin´ like a dog
It’s been a hard day’s night
And I’ll be sleepin´ like a log…. "

(John Lennon and Paul McCartney)