Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

[livingwith]

I am 17 and for the past couple of years I have had severe trouble with my sleep patterns. At first I just thought I stayed up late and wanted to sleep in because I was a teenager. My parents said that it was nothing to worry about and eventually I would sleep normally again. It’s 4 years later and it has only gotten worse.
It is impossible for me to fall asleep before 4am, and usually I don’t sleep until 6am. I could stay up all night, do intense excerise all day, without caffine or...Read the full article

[Manny]

Hi there!

I'm actually writing from work. Just so you know the severity of my condition, the first thing I did once I came here was to try to figure out what was wrong with me. And to top it off, I got a speeding ticket, all coming down to the mere fact that I woke up late ($155 fine).

The internet is a wonderful place. All I had to do was google my specific symptoms and voila, there is was: DSPS. I always debated my parent's complaints of me being lazy, of waking up super late on weekends, of being completely useless in the mornings when there's house chores to be made, etc. I debated these claims because even though I woke up late, I was much more productive with my sleeping schedule than with the "normal" one (What's normal anyways?). In my own perfect little world, everybody must wake up at 12 pm and go to sleep at 3 am. I really don't know if it's a lack of motivation, since my life is not very interesting (I'm single, 27, I still live with my parents, and I'm working for $7.25 an hour, and it's not like I'm dumb and hideous). I know things could be much worse... Anyways, yes I was diagnosed in 2003 with OCD (Obsesive Compulsive Disorder) which is the source of many other conditions (depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks). Combined to this, I believe I have Asperger's syndrome (a sort of autism) and DSPS, and I definitely know I have restless legs syndrome (i'm moving my legs as I write). So in terms of severity I believe only a panic attack would bother as much as this DSPS. It's life-changing, and potentially life-ruining. I remember once I was so sleepy I got out of my chair and tried to walk it off and I almost fell. The frustration was such I felt like crying, and at the time I was at work so I just bit my tongue. I've forced myself to sleep earlier numerous times with no avail. And now I believe the reason why I drink alcohol so much on weekends is because I'd like to sleep without any interruptions (I know alcohol will not guarantee a full night sleep but I do it, I believe just for the illusion of rest).
I followed many tips from the internet to sleep normally {avoid caffeine several hours before bedtime, do some excersice, etc. (just as you posted)} but the attempts were futile. I was like this ever since I can remember. It's like if my body was designed for that specific sleep schedule. No matter how hard I try, how many relaxation cds I listen to, I feel like I'm becoming inmune to these treatments. Not even melatonin pills work. It's actually pretty bad.
So I guess I spoke my heart out, hopefully some others will share my pain.

[Purple69]

It is interesting to hear your side of the story put so eloquently. I am the mother of a 17 yr old with DSPS and he too says it sucks. I worry greatly about what is going to happen to my son because like you he is bright, funny and could be anything he wanted to however having this disorder is seriously affecting his education and therefore his future. Others don't understand and sometimes I don't either. I guess from a parental standpoint it's hard to watch the person you love with all your heart losing their life becoming someone who may have to work at "McDonald's when they're 60" rather than be what they wanted. I guess my issue is not with his inability to sleep I feel sorry for him but it is when he is awake and arguing with me and still won't get out of bed. It seems as though he has given up and I don't know how to help him. I have researched this a lot and some doctors say this disorder will correct itself when adulthood is reached, I hope that for you and my son. Good luck with all your future endeavours and don't give up.