Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

[Anonymous Frenchman]

I suffer from hypernychthemeral syndrome (non-24 sleep-wake cycle) and am free-cycling, and I've just realised that my neck, jaw and teeth pains are mostly likely due to teeth clenching (bruxism).

Can both sleep bruxism and non-24 sleep-wake disorder be linked? Can one cause the other?

[Norway]

I don't know if they can be linked in some way. I have severe DSPS and bruxism (clenching, not grinding). I would doubt that the bruxism could cause a sleep disorder, except as pain affects sleep. I've had DSPS since I was little, and I think the bruxism started in my mid-20s (not sure of that, but no later than age 30). If bruxism is caused by psychological distress, it does seem to me that it could be caused, at least in part, by society's negative reaction to the sleep disorder.

What do you think?

[Anonymous Frenchman]

Oh I was actually asking about such a sleep disorder causing bruxism, sorry for not making it sufficiently clear.

I for one don't have to deal much with society's negative attitude towards my sleep disorder because I don't get to talk with society much, I'm a self employed home worker ;). This being said my episode of teeth clenching was very transient, only lasted a few weeks, I think it mainly happened when I'm awake and now I just try to make sure that my teeth aren't clenching or anything.