Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)?

Question

I've recently been told I have "Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)", a chronic sleep disorder like "jet lag" where I cannot sleep before at least 2am then am totally incapable of waking in the morning (yes, I own 3 alarm clocks...) even though I've had a good (if a little short) night's sleep...

It's nice to know that there is a name for something which has prevented me from getting a good night sleep in years! It's also great to be able to tell people that it's not out of laziness and apathy that I miss early classes and am late for work etc...

I've tried everything over the past few years...sleeping pills dont make me sleep, just make me sleepy the next day! Forcing a new sleep pattern just leaves me awake and frustrated!!!

I'm despirate to do something about it because I'm trying to hold down a job and complete my final year in university, difficult when you have to be places at 9am! If anyone has DSPS or has any solutions or experience with this let me know!

Cheers!

Edit:

If anyone thinks this is something which may be affecting them too try doing a Google search for it...also www.wikipedia.org has some great info and a definition of what DSPS actually is!!!

Edit:

I have tried sleeping pills in the past but they simply didn't work...the only way to get them to have an effect is to take a high dosage which would leave me feeling like s**t the next morning. Instead of helping me sleep, they just make me drowsier in the morning and make it even more difficult to wake up.

I did find drinking alcohol before bed sometimes had a bit of an effect...also smoking cannabis relaxed me...but neither are exactly healthy options, are they! I dont really fancy getting drunk and stoned every night of the week!!! Besides, they didnt really work all that well any way!

Answer 1

I don't have this exact problem but i do have issues with sleep before 1am.. i just can't. sometimes i get into bed thinking that i'm sleepy and end up feeling wide awake for hours. What has helped me in the past is making sure i get good exercise everyday or at least most days.
When i've had a good work out my body is naturally ready to rest when i hit the pillow! maybe try that? Good Luck..

Answer 2

Don't ever take the sleeping pills route!!

1. They will damage your liver big time and you can get into serious health problems.

2. You will get hooked up on them and you won't be able to have a normal life any more if you don't take your pills everyday.

The sleeping pills industry is damaging our health by capitalizing on our ignorance, and by distracting people from effective and natural ways to deal with this problem. I had been taking prescription sleep medications [Ambien] for over 5 years. It stopped working and I simply took more. Still did not work. Nights were very difficult - medication put me to sleep but I would wake up after 2–3 hours with a strong sympathetic response (fast pulse, pounding heartbeat, wide awake alert). It was a very difficult cycle to break. I was really in bad shape due to lack of sleep.

After years of struggling I was able to cure my insomnia naturally and pretty fast. I followed the Sleep Tracks sleep optimization program, here is their official web -site if you want to take a look: http://www.insomniacure.net

Ohhh..and Good Luck!

Answer 3

i don't know what DSPS exactly is but i have insomnia so maybe i can help try taking melatonin. it's not a prescription drug. it's just hormones and they are completely safe. all natural... get rid of all noise (even clocks that tick) and source of light in your room. if you can't get rid of light, use an eye patch. if you can't fall asleep for more than an hour, don't try but read a book or watch a movie for another hour or so then try sleeping again. make sure your feet are clean. i don't know why, but a lot of insomniacs can't sleep when they have dirty feet. if none of this works, i would suggest going to your doctor and getting referred to a psychiatrist or a sleep lab.

Answer 4

sounds like my 7yr old son who will not fall asleep before 2am, i have tried everything but i am at my wits end. Because of his age i worry how it will affect his school work and we are undergoing some tests and assesments with the school doctor and nurse. I once tried giving him a book to read as i can not read for longer than about 10 pages when im in bed i always fall asleep, but he read the whole book and woke me up at 4.30am to tell me he enjoyed it! The book was over 120 pages long and he read from start to finish. My problem is getting him up for school at 7am, but even on a weekend he never sleeps in later than 9am anyway even after a very late night.
I really hope there is something what we can do to help him because i am scared it will affect his learning. He already has a teacher who thinks hes showing signs of dyslexia.

Answer 5

Not sure if that is what I have got, but my migraine tablets stop me from sleeping and it takes me weeks to get back to normal.

Don't know the answer, but at a guess, maybe some tablets you are on affect this

Answer 6

wow
i can't answer your question but i have a friend who has had serious problems with what he thought was insomnia for a long time now, and as i was reading your question i was like, oh my god... oh my god... i think this is what he has!!!

thank you so much, even though this was totally coincidental. i wish you the best of luck and i'm gonna keep an eye on this for solutions people have.

Answer 7

holy **** i might have this!! i developed it shortly after summer and i've tried everything. i sleep really well after i've had a few beers, more than 2 (i ususally drink 3 when i drink). but dont drink too much and/or too often cuz then it can also mess up your sleep and your sleep patern

Answer 8

thanks i think i have just found out what i have, i have the same problem, i can not get to sleep until after 1am, than i find it really hard to get up in the morning at 7am. i have also tried sleeping pills. try a nice hot shower or bath and or a small drop a brandy that may help.

Answer 9

The brain is what keeps you awake. The sleep, process 4stages.

1) Brain activity is 0 delta waves.
2) Brain activity has up to 20% delta waves.
3) Brain activity has up to 20% - 50% delta waves
4) Brain activity over 50% Delta waves
Stages 3 + 4 are `Slow wave` sleep

Answer 10

I'm like you what i did i drink a sleeping tea every night