Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), is a disorder where a person finds it hard to go to sleep until very late at night. This can be as late as 4am. In the morning, they will want to sleep in for longer, perhaps until the early afternoon. If they have to wake up earlier than this, then they will feel groggy, but as the day goes on, their energy levels will pick up. Scientists believe that a person’s body clock is not working properly and causing DSPS with the issue being with melatonin secretion. Lifestyle can also play a part but often young people don’t feel very sleepy at night. Therefore they tend to stay up too late, and this alters the timing of their circadian rhythm or body clock.