The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.

I Am Not A 'Bad' Person! I Am Just Different

I was formally diagnosed with "Circadian Rhythm Disorder, Delayed Sleep Phase" last year at age 43. I had an overnight sleep study, extensive analysis and interviews with a Neurologist/Sleep Specialist. I've heard Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome is the name for the adolescent version described on this page.


I am also Bipolar, and regular sleep is key to preventing manic episodes. I like the analogy between sleeping pills and a fire extinguisher. The common misconception that sleep deprivation is better than taking a pill is baloney. I see that as part of the cultural judgement that "good, clean living will make you an early bird."

Throughout my working life, I believed shame from bosses, co-workers and myself for not being able to wake early. Even in a workplace that offered flexible scheduling, I was allowed to begin my day at 9:30, but faced regular insults from people who chose to arrive hours earlier. Particularly as a manager, I was seen as setting a 'bad example.' I had a depressing belief that the early bird always wins.

My sleep specialist's treatment? Stop the struggle and build a life that works for me. There are many careers and jobs that don't require early wake time torture.


Kevin: Thanks for sharing such a fresh perspective in your story. I think realizing the value of this particular advice from your sleep specialist is a key liberator for people like you who have had delayed sleep phases for a long time. Other posts on this site have similar sentiments, including this one that comes to mind: My Sleep Schedule Doesn't Fit Society's.

Warmly,
Kevin


(Please keep in mind that I am a student of sleep science and not a medical doctor. Please take any thoughts I give with my background in mind.)

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Thoughts On Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome.



Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.

About This Site

Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.

We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.

In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?

A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:

Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3) that isn't talked about enough. It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.

If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.

More Questions:

Ask | Answer

The Stanford Sleep Book

Stanford Sleep Book Picture

Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.

In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.

Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy

More Sleep Resources

The Zeo

Track Your Own Sleep With Zeo

A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.

Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide

Sleep Paralysis Treatment Book

Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.

Important Disclaimer

Please Note:

The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.

For more info, see our
Terms of Use.