Circadian Health Glossary
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
DSPS is a sleep disorder characterized by a persistent delay in the time a person falls asleep, typically by two hours or more past what is considered the socially acceptable bedtime. This pattern defies the person's desire to fall asleep and to wake at the expected conventional times. This problem is ongoing, affecting the person’s sleep even on weekends and when they try to adjust to a work schedule.
DSPS Causes and Triggers
The origins of DSPS are interconnected with the inner workings of the human circadian rhythm, a complex web of different factors that coil and uncoil with a 24-hour periodicity. While the exact cause for someone developing DSPS is not always clear-cut, it can be rooted in biological clock malfunctions, disruptions in the input or interpretation of environmental cues, or possibly a combination of both genetic predisposition and life events.
The Effects of DSPS
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Difficulties falling asleep – the internal clock is out of sync, causing the individual to feel alert late into the night, making it difficult to fall asleep before midnight.
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Difficulties waking up – due to a delayed sleep phase, the internal clock doesn’t send strong wake-up signals until later in the morning, making it difficult to wake up at a “normal” time.
How Do Light Therapy Glasses Help with Treating Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome?
Light therapy glasses offer a non-drug approach to managing DSPS by synchronizing the body’s clock with the light-dark cycle. They regulate the circadian rhythm by emitting bright light that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles, aiming for a pattern that aligns with the natural cycle.