[hardend]

Hi all,

This is my first post of this forum. Although I've never been officially diagnosed, I've had DSPS symptoms since I was a baby. I've lived with it my whole life and now at the age of 20, I don't see that changing. I'm not trying to sound hopeless here, I just think maybe there's nothing wrong with accepting that my sleep cycle is different from the rest of the world and find a way to deal with it. My current university doesn't provide night courses and my social life and jobs I've had are always at odds with my sleep schedule. So I figure I either got to change my sleep or look into options for living with my schedule. I could just get diagnosed and try to fix my sleep, but I honestly love being up late. I feel free being able to stay up till 5-7am every morning and sleep till 3 in the afternoon. I don't want to feel imprisoned by conforming to everyone else's schedule just because it's "normal" for them. Maybe I'm just being stubborn, but I don't want to "fix" my sleep schedule.

So I got 2 years left of college, I've been trying to look into some options for a future career, probably change majors, and finding out where are good places to live being a night owl. Are there places that facilitate a night lifestyle? And what kinda careers are available for people with DSPS? If you guys have any advice or know where I could find out more information I'd loved to hear it. Thanks.

[SleepyJ]

Dear Hardend,
I am 36 and I have recently been diagnosed with DSPS so I know how you feel about thinking it will never change; however, I was given great news when I went to the sleep doc the other day. I found out that if I change my actions then the reaction will also change. By that I mean treating my bed as if it were a blessing instead of a curse. I no longer just lie in bed waiting impatiently to fall asleep anymore. I wait until my body tells me it is tired then with no TV, radio, books, or lights I crawl into my soft comfortable bed with 700 thread count sheets and drift off to sleep in no time. I also do not nap on the sofa or, spend the night sleeping on my sofa. By changing my habits, I am now sleeping through the night and actually getting tired and ready for sleep by about 2200hrs (10:00pm). The only reason I am up so late tonight is because I have a friend and her son over and she also has DSPS but has not grasped the new ritual of going to bed at the same time and waking at the same time. Will I pay for not going to sleep at my usual time? Yes, but the schedule is back on tomorrow. I actually enjoy getting ready for bed and climbing in bed with no noise (I used to THINK that I could not fall asleep with out the TV), no lights, not even a clock to lear at wishing that I could fall asleep and counting the hours that I will not be able to sleep. I guess what I am saying is, changing the chore of going to sleep and making it a pleasent event and something to look forward to I am able to be happy to go into my room, close the door, and climb into bed. I hope that this helps you. Can I suggest that you go to a sleep specialist and talk to them about your inability to sleep at the normal hours.

[hardend]

Thanks SleepyJ for the encouraging advice. I been planning on seeing a sleep specialist for a while i just haven't gotten around to it. I sought some help for my universities health center, but I ended up getting misdiagnosed with insomnia. Was prescribed unsuccessfully a sleeping medication called Remenon, that made me sleep 17 hours the first night I took it and through all my classes. On my own I have been able to get on normal sleep schedules (10:00pm) periodically. However that only lasts about a week or two, and reverts itself suddenly and unexpected.

Anyways out of curiosity, how long has your new sleep schedule been normal? Is it difficult to manage and were there other changes you made in your lifestyle that helped it?

[quixotic_blush]

I'm so happy to read your situation. I'm also 20 and have been suffering from dsps literally since I was brought home from the hospital. I've been chastized my whole life as 'lazy' or 'uninspired'. But I just sleep during the day. Treatments, doctors and pills have only made my life worse. I just found out about dsps and I damn near cried because it spelled out my life. I even dropped from college last semester because I couldn't handle it. I now have a night job, and I'm returning to school and taking night classes. You know what's weird? I like it. I'm happiest falling asleep after the sun rises and waking up before it sets. I like nighttime, it's cool, clarifying, and refreshing. (Most of the action happens at night too!) I don't want to be cheezy, but if you would like to talk about it, my page is: [moderator note: website address has been removed] . It would be awesome to have someone else I know that struggles with dsps. Good luck dude!