Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome: Are there others out there?

Posted by AntoniaZ @antoniaz, Apr 9, 2020

So I just found out that what I thought was just a (very) bad habit turns out to have a clinical name: Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

DSPS is essentially when you go to bed super late (or super early if you think 5 a.m. is a good time to get up) and sleep in embarrasingly late. Like 1 p.m. or even 2 p.m. I have always been an "owl" and not a "lark," even as a child, but now, with COVID-19, what's the rush in waking up?

It's just that, when I am now forcing myself to only drink decaf and setting the alarm at noon, I know something is seriously off kilter. I rarely get out in the daylight and am thinking maybe it's time to get another dog. (I live on the 9th floor now so that's not an easy thing to do.) Our condo gym and, more to the point, my beloved indoor pool are both closed. I have a mini-trampoline but that's not the same as a serious workout.

I sleep like a log BTW and, according to my fancy watch, have very regular sleep patterns throughout.

But seriously, breakfast oatmeal at 3 or 4 in the afternoon? Dinner at 10?

Bet I end up the latest poster on this site. Or are there others out there?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

Hi @antoniaz, Welcome to Connect! I didn't even know they had a name for being a night owl. There was a time many moons ago where that was me but it was because I was working rotating shifts 4pm to Midnight for 6 months and then Midnight to 8am. It definitely messed with my sleep habits. I see that Mayo Clinic even shows some clinical trials on their Delayed sleep phase page here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delayed-sleep-phase/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353341

To be honest I've always chalked up different sleeping hours to personal situations and preferences. For the past 10 years or so I've been an early to bed early to rise person. Mostly because I've got some pets that demand to be fed on their schedule not mine :-). Breakfast oatmeal at 3 or 4 in the afternoon is something I consider a healthy snack. I found some Sous-Vide Oatmeal Bites with coconut milk, dried cranberries, and dried apricots at Costco awhile back and they are not too bad - easy bake in the toaster oven or microwave (not as good in the microwave). I also have sleep apnea and have to use a CPAP so that adds to my need to get regular sleep.

You might be one of the latest posters 🙂 -- but you do have some competition out there, just not me. I'll bet @artscaping might know of a few of your competitors. So my thoughts are why do they call it Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome just because it's a norm for some people?...unless they don't want to sleep those hours. You mentioned that you sleep well. Are you trying to break the cycle and change?

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@johnbishop

Hi @antoniaz, Welcome to Connect! I didn't even know they had a name for being a night owl. There was a time many moons ago where that was me but it was because I was working rotating shifts 4pm to Midnight for 6 months and then Midnight to 8am. It definitely messed with my sleep habits. I see that Mayo Clinic even shows some clinical trials on their Delayed sleep phase page here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delayed-sleep-phase/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353341

To be honest I've always chalked up different sleeping hours to personal situations and preferences. For the past 10 years or so I've been an early to bed early to rise person. Mostly because I've got some pets that demand to be fed on their schedule not mine :-). Breakfast oatmeal at 3 or 4 in the afternoon is something I consider a healthy snack. I found some Sous-Vide Oatmeal Bites with coconut milk, dried cranberries, and dried apricots at Costco awhile back and they are not too bad - easy bake in the toaster oven or microwave (not as good in the microwave). I also have sleep apnea and have to use a CPAP so that adds to my need to get regular sleep.

You might be one of the latest posters 🙂 -- but you do have some competition out there, just not me. I'll bet @artscaping might know of a few of your competitors. So my thoughts are why do they call it Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome just because it's a norm for some people?...unless they don't want to sleep those hours. You mentioned that you sleep well. Are you trying to break the cycle and change?

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Hello, I too have always been a late to sleep and late to awake! Yep found out a few years ago about Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, it’s real and explained my sleep issue for all my life completely! I’m a total night owl and no I’m not lazy. Even as a baby I was awake when parents thought I should be asleep. It was hard to live with going to school and trying to function like “normal” people did! As soon as possible I got night jobs, perfect for me…lol
Hard to make anyone understand if they don’t have it! Anyway just wanted to let you know I do understand!

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@nanna1954

Hello, I too have always been a late to sleep and late to awake! Yep found out a few years ago about Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, it’s real and explained my sleep issue for all my life completely! I’m a total night owl and no I’m not lazy. Even as a baby I was awake when parents thought I should be asleep. It was hard to live with going to school and trying to function like “normal” people did! As soon as possible I got night jobs, perfect for me…lol
Hard to make anyone understand if they don’t have it! Anyway just wanted to let you know I do understand!

Jump to this post

Hi @nanna1954, Welcome to Connect. Thanks for sharing your experience. I knew that @antoniaz was not alone!

Do you mind sharing how you found Connect, what you were searching for?

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@johnbishop

Hi @nanna1954, Welcome to Connect. Thanks for sharing your experience. I knew that @antoniaz was not alone!

Do you mind sharing how you found Connect, what you were searching for?

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Hi John! Yes I have a long list of health issues with the last couple being diagnosed just recently, one is Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3b, and three weeks ago I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer, preparing for Surgery for that next week. After catching my breath I have started looking for info and others going thru this nightmare. Have had some anxious feelings etc, so Connect can up my search.
Will plug in here as much as possible for all my health issues, right now had just been reading and seeing how the site works.

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@nanna1954

Hi John! Yes I have a long list of health issues with the last couple being diagnosed just recently, one is Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3b, and three weeks ago I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer, preparing for Surgery for that next week. After catching my breath I have started looking for info and others going thru this nightmare. Have had some anxious feelings etc, so Connect can up my search.
Will plug in here as much as possible for all my health issues, right now had just been reading and seeing how the site works.

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@nanna1954 - I'm glad you found Connect and I'm hoping it can provide some answers and information for questions you may have. Here are a few discussions you may find helpful to get you started.

-- [TIP] How to Use Connect: Step-by-step Instructions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tip-how-to-use-connect-step-by-step-instructions/
-- Small bowel NET and colon cancer: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/small-bowel-net-and-colon-cancer/
-- Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD): What specialists do I see?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stage-3-ckd/
-- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): How do I stop progression?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ckd/

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I have DSPS, Circadian Rythym disorder and non-24. I free run and never know in advance when I will be asleep and when I will be awake. I am 83, have had it all my life and have adjusted to it as well as possible.

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Oh, we are out here. I am 83, have had Sleep Delay and everything with it since an infant, I was diagnosed about 43 years ago at the U. of Md. after seeing a clinical trial advertised. I was told I did not have insomnia, but what was then called Phase Lag. Later, I called The National Institutes of Health which was having a study and wanted me in it. I was studied for months by the doctor who labeled "the winter blues", Seasonal Affect Disorder. S A D. Periodically, I called to see if there was anything new, No. There is no cure. Light therapy helps with SAD, not with us. Trying to reset and advance your sleep schedule leads only to Non-24 which I have, I free run and my sleep delay has progressed as I age. I have adapted and adjusted, which is all one can do. At NIH, I was told I was "classic" and was asked to speak with another patient. It did nothing as he was unable to accept the diagnosis. There are a lot of us out here. Many people naturally turn to night shift jobs, but with Circadian Rhythm Disorder, Non-24, we just have to accept and adjust.

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Thank you for liking my comment.. I give away a lot of pamphlets about SLPS and Circadian Rythym. I am a self-appointed spokesperson!

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I have sleep delay, Circadian rhythm disorder, Non -24. I stay awake sometimes for 24 to 48 hours and still am not sleepy. I am concerned about what sleep deprivation is doing to my other conditions. I have had this since an infant; it becomes more pronounced as I age. I am 83, have Parkinson's, CKD, fybromalgia, DNA that does not absorb drugs easily, PTSD. I am on the Neuro patch for PD.

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@maggienice

I have sleep delay, Circadian rhythm disorder, Non -24. I stay awake sometimes for 24 to 48 hours and still am not sleepy. I am concerned about what sleep deprivation is doing to my other conditions. I have had this since an infant; it becomes more pronounced as I age. I am 83, have Parkinson's, CKD, fybromalgia, DNA that does not absorb drugs easily, PTSD. I am on the Neuro patch for PD.

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Sleep delay, Circadian R disorder, Non-24. Awake 24 to 48 hours, then sleep up to 24 hrs. Concern: what effect on other conditions PD, CKD, fibromyalgia, PTSD. I am 83, on Neupro patch for PD.

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