Thoughts

Delayed Sleep-Phase Syndrome

Oh wow, this is me!

Delayed sleep phase syndrome results when the patient’s internal biological clock does not match his or her external environment (called desynchronization). Unlike jet lag, this desynchronization is not activated by travel or a change in external environment. Rather, the patient’s propensity to fall asleep is simply “delayed” in relation to other people’s. Subsequently, a patient with DSPS is desynchronized with the routine that governs most of his or her life.

Patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome typically are unable to fall asleep before 2 a.m. and have extreme difficulty waking early (e.g., by 7 a.m.). People who have DSPS are sometimes called “night owls” or are described as not being “morning people.” If they are able to sleep a full 7 to 8 hours (e.g., until 10 a.m.), they feel rested and function normally.

Well, extreme difficulty waking early might be a bit over the top.. but I’m very sure I extremely dislike it. And that I love nighttime.

Isn’t this the best excuse ever?

“Sorry, 8 o’clock is a no-no for me, I have DSPS.”

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