Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

[urbanqueen]

Hey everyone,

I am a teenager and I have real trouble sleeping at night, and waking in the morning. On a good night it takes me 1 1/2-2 hours to fall asleep, but it usually takes quite a bit more.

My primary school was a lot closer to my house, and I was relatively okay in the mornings because I could sleep in a little bit- I don't think I had much of a problem back then. However, my high school is far away from my house, and I have to catch a bus to school- requiring me to be up at at 6:30am. I find this damn near impossible- there's no way I could do it without an alarm clock.

I feel dead tired for about the first half of the day- I have barely any energy to participate in my morning classes anymore, and my effort grade is most likely suffering for this as teachers simply think I'm lazy and uninterested.

As the day goes on, I get a lot more energy. I find myself really energetic at nighttime, and thus the cycle starts again with me not being able to sleep at night. On holidays and weekends, when I can sleep in till late, I'm usually okay.

To me, this sounds quite a bit like the symptoms for DSPS. What do you all think? Does anybody have any tips to help me to get my sleeping schedule on track?

[hardhatsrequired]

A good book that I found is "Inner Time" by Carol Orlock. You sound like my teenager. I pulled her out of school and I am home schooling her according to "her clock". How do your parents feel about this issue? Are they working with you? There is alot of research available on the net. Put it to use. Educate yourself. I would suggest making an appointment with you PCP and then he/she will probably make a referral to a pediatric pulmonologist. My teen has appointment coming up. I will let you know what is discussed and suggested. Her appt is the 22nd.
You really need to involve your parents if you haven't already. Your school record is permanent and will affect your life forever. Don't let DSPS reuin it.
Let us know what you do.
HardHatsRequired

[urbanqueen]

Thank you so much for your reply =]

I definitely would not ever do homeschooling. I've just gotten a scholarship to a really fantastic school, I've recently started there and I'd never go back. My parents have sacrificed a LOT of money for me to go there, so I would definitely not consider homeschooling.
I have told my parents about the issue, and we've tried a few different techniques and things. I will be going to see my doctor soon, as soon as other family issues give a bit of a clear way for me to get some spare time.
I will check out that book, thanks for the help =] I'm definitely awaiting your reply, thanks again for the help.