what is DSPS?

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 5:53 pm

Someone posted here that they were diagnosed with DSPS. What is it and how is it diagnosed?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:08 pm

I'm guessing......

http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.com/dsps/

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:32 pm

Ahhhhh! Here's what "I" need!!!

Actigraphy
Actigraphy, which involves wearing an inconspicuous monitoring device (usually on the wrist), also may be used in the diagnosis of DSPS. In addition to monitoring circadian rhythm, pain response, and response to medication, this device measures motion that is consistent with sleep and wake and records it throughout the night. The data is then retrieved from the device and analyzed for sleep-wake time relationships and indications of DSPS.

papoose · Post by **papoose** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:41 pm

I'm the member who posted that I was diagnosed with DSPS, or Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, sometimes called "night owl syndrome." My "body clock" is a few hours later than most people's, and has been all my life.

DSPS is sometimes called a sleep "disorder," but that label is somewhat subjective, like the viewpoint of the article referenced by Wulfman. (Sorry, Den, I know you didn't write the piece, and I'm not one to shoot the messenger.)

The latest research suggests that the syndrome is genetic. It is as much a "disorder" as brown eyes or brown skin. I apparently inherited the night owl gene from my dad, as did my three siblings. (We all have sleep apnea, too, caused by abnormal physical structure.)

The article linked to Den's post suggests that DSPS is caused by "lifestyle," that some people with DSPS can discard the "habit" cold turkey, while others can change their behavior gradually or outgrow it. I can tell you that this would be as hard for me as turning my brown eyes blue!

I am not a "morning person" and probably never will be. Others like me find it hard to adapt to the 8-to-5 norm of corporate America, or life in the military. Often devalued by society, we are sometimes labeled lazy or non-compliant. That stigmatization, I believe, is what leads many folks with DSPS to suffer depression as well.

If you want to know more about it, I suggest this article is less of a condemnation than the previous one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sl ... e_syndrome

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:24 pm

Wow, this is really interesting. My husband works late evening, and we seldom go to bed before 2:30-3 am yet I still struggle to fall asleep most nights. We get up 10ish am at the latest and this is no biggie to me. I seem to fall asleep easily about one to two nights a week if I am lucky. I too, have alway been a night owl and truly hate mornings. I have never heard of this before, thanks for the info!

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