What are “circardian sleep disorders”?
Ans. “Circardian sleep disorders” also referred to as “Delayed sleep phase syndrome” is characterized by sleep onset and wake times which are delayed 3 to 6 hours relative to conventional sleep wake times. The clinical picture may be that of sleep-onset insomnia. The patients are unable to sleep at normal times and may report use of sedative-hypnotic drugs, bedtime use of alcohol or even psychtherapy. Sleepiness in such persons is greatest in the mornings and lessens as the circardian drive for wakefulness peaks in the late afternoon and they often feel alert in the late evenings. The syndrome may be associated with daytime irritability and poor performance in school or at work place. This syndrome may be mistaken for depression in, in which the sleep wake cycle may also be delayed or advanced.
