Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), also known as delayed sleep phase disorder or delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, is a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder characterized by an inability to fall asleep and wake up at socially acceptable times.
Individuals with DSPS, because of differences in their internal clock, naturally sleep and wake more than two hours later than most people.DSPS is often mistaken for insomnia and poor sleep hygiene.
But initiating and staying asleep actually comes easily for those with DSPS, as does waking up, so long as it lines up with their body’s natural sleep-wake times.
Those with DSPS may also have poor sleep hygiene, but challenges falling asleep at socially conventional times may still occur even with healthier habits because of underlying circadian rhythm differences.DSPS is linked to other conditions, including depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).1 2Clinicians use sleep diaries, sleep tests, and actigraphy devices (usually a wrist device that monitors sleep) to diagnose DSPS and rule out other sleep disorders.
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