Delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome is a type of sleep disorder. This happens when a person sleeps 2-3 hours later than the normal time of sleeping in the night. Because of this the person sleeps late and wakes up late in the morning. This can be due to genetics, chronic insomnia, and poor sleeping habits. It is recommended to take bright light therapy and melatonin supplements as their treatment.
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Today in this article, you will know in detail about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Syndrome -
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- What is delayed sleep wake phase syndrome?
- Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Syndrome Symptoms
- Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Syndrome Causes
- Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Syndrome Treatment
- Takeaway
What is delayed sleep wake phase syndrome?
In the case of delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome, there is a delay in falling asleep at night and a delay in waking up the next morning. If the bedtime is 10 o'clock in the night, then a person with this syndrome does not get sleep till 12-1 o'clock and he can keep sleeping till late in the morning. According to research, usually, young children and teenagers have to face delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome. It is also called circadian rhythm disorder. It is the circadian rhythm that helps a person's body to sleep, digest food and regulate hormones, etc. For those who have circadian rhythm disorder, their sleep and wake cycle is disturbed.
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Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Syndrome Symptoms
People with Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Syndrome are not able to fall asleep at a fixed time every day. There is no difference in the time and quality of sleep of these people. These people sleep late every day and wake up equally late. Come, let us know in detail about its symptoms -
Depression and other behavioral problems
If sleep is not complete at night, then there is a possibility of depression. Due to sleepiness during the day, the work is also not completed on time. Children and teenagers are not able to study properly, which comes out in the form of their poor performance.
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Daytime droopiness
Drowsiness is felt during the day when sleep is not complete at night, but it is necessary to wake up at a particular time in the morning. If sleep is not complete, it is difficult to concentrate on work, and may feel drowsy.
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Trouble waking up in the morning
People with delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome receive signals from their internal clock much later than others. Because of this, these people are not able to wake up in the morning at the conventional time.
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Trouble falling asleep on time
Because, in people with delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome, the internal clock sends signals to the body with a delay that it is time to sleep. This is the reason why these people are unable to sleep at normal times. This means that these people can stay awake till midnight.
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Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Syndrome Causes
Although no specific causes of delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome are known, it is linked to genetics, chronic insomnia, and poor sleeping habits. Come, let us know about these reasons in detail -
Genetic
If someone in the family already has delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome, then there is a possibility of developing this condition. According to research, 40 percent of people who have delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome have had it in their family before.
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Bad sleeping habits
If a person gets less sunlight in the morning, then he is more likely to have delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome. Even if there is too much light at the night, its symptoms can increase.
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Chronic insomnia
According to research, 10 percent of people with chronic insomnia have a chance of having delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome.
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Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders
If there is depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, there is a possibility of delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome.
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Post-puberty changes
During adolescence, the body's sleep cycle becomes longer, which includes delayed sleep and delayed waking. At this time growing children also become more social and more responsibilities fall on them.
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Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Syndrome Treatment
In the treatment of delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome, not one, but several methods are used. Its treatment aims to normalize the sleep schedule and for this, the body clock is adjusted. Treatment of delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome also depends on the symptoms and lifestyle, including the use of advancing the internal clock, bright light therapy, and melatonin supplements. Come, let us know in detail about the treatment of Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Syndrome -
Improve sleep habits
It is necessary to go to bed every night at a fixed time and keep a distance from electronic things before going to bed. Along with this, it is also said to stay away from caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and excessive exercise before going to bed at night.
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Melatonin supplement
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep and wake cycles. Its quantity and time are different for every person. Therefore, here doctor's advice comes in handy.
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Bright light therapy
After waking up, the person is asked to sit close to a light for 30 minutes. This morning light advances the internal clock to induce an early night's sleep.
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Internal clock delay
This is also called chronotherapy, in which the time to go to bed is delayed by 1 to 2.5 hours every 6 days. This is done until the sleep schedule becomes normal.
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Advance internal clock
As a treatment, a person suffering from delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome is advised to go to bed 15 minutes earlier every night. It is also said to wake up before time every day.
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Takeaway
Simply put, Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Syndrome is a body clock disorder. In this, due to a delay in the sleep cycle, sleep comes late and the person wakes up late in the morning as well and he continues to feel drowsy during the day. Genetics, chronic insomnia, and poor sleeping habits are known to cause delayed sleep-wake phase syndrome. As a treatment, advancing the internal clock, intake of melatonin supplements, and bright light therapy help. A doctor's help helps get sleep back on track.
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Doctors for Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Syndrome - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Dr. Hemant Kumar
Neurology
11 Years of Experience

Dr. Vinayak Jatale
Neurology
3 Years of Experience

Dr. Sameer Arora
Neurology
10 Years of Experience
