Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Harmony United Psychiatric Care Logo

What Are Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders?

A circadian rhythm sleep disorder is a persistent pattern of sleep disruption that is primarily due to a misalignment between the body’s circadian rhythm (biological clock) and the sleep-wake schedule required by an individual’s physical environment or social or professional schedule. A diagnosis of a circadian rhythm sleep disorder is based on:

  • The sleep disruption leading to excessive sleepiness and/or insomnia.
  • The sleep disturbance causing significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning.

There are several different types of circadian rhythm sleep disorders. They include:

  • Delayed Sleep Phase Type
    This type of sleep disorder occurs when a person’s biological clock runs slower than 24 hours or is shifted later than the desired schedule. This produces a phase delay in the sleepiness-alertness cycle. Individuals with delayed sleep phase are more alert in the evening and early nighttime, stay up later, and are more tired in the morning. These individuals are commonly referred to as “night owls.”
  • Irregular Sleep-Wake Type
    The irregular sleep-wake pattern occurs when the circadian sleep-wake rhythm is absent or diminished. Individuals with this condition have a normal amount of sleep during a 24-hour period; however, it is fragmented into three or more sleep episodes that occur irregularly. Long daytime naps and nocturnal wakefulness occur with symptoms of insomnia at night and excessive sleepiness during the day. A history of reclusion or isolation may be associated with this condition. This type of sleep disorder is typically associated with neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and some neurodevelopmental issues in children.
  • Shift Work Type
    This irregular sleep-wake pattern occurs with individuals who work the night shift but retain an unshifted circadian rhythm. Furthermore, to meet social demands, shift workers often adopt a non-shifted sleep-wake schedule on weekends and holidays. The result can be severe insomnia when attempting to sleep and excessive sleepiness when trying to stay awake.
  • Jet Lag Type
    This irregular sleep-wake pattern can occur when an individual rapidly travels across many time zones. Those who frequently travel for business can find themselves quite impaired at the time they need to make important decisions. “Night owls” will experience greater difficulty adjusting to eastward travel, while “larks” will have more problems with westward travel. Normally, healthy individuals can easily adapt to one to two time zone changes per day. Natural adjustment to an 8-hour translocation may take 4 or more days.
  • Due to Medical Condition
    Patients who are bedridden, hospitalized, or dealing with some forms of dementia, often sleep ad lib. The resulting chaotic sleep-wake pattern adversely affects the circadian rhythm, which may be further exacerbated by medication with sedative properties.

What are treatments for Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders?

There are several approaches for treating circadian rhythm sleep disorders. These include the following:

  • Chronotherapy
    Chronotherapy is one technique used to reset the biological clock. It involves progressively phase-delaying a person’s sleep time until their biological clock is synchronized with the desired sleep-wake schedule. 
  • Light or Phototherapy
    Studies indicate that exposing an individual to bright lights (greater than 10,000 lux) can alter their biological rhythm. With precise timing of bright light exposure, the biological clock can be stopped and reset. The blue part of the light spectrum is the crucial ingredient in phase setting and shifting. Light therapy is used to reset the circadian rhythm of shift workers, astronauts, and individuals experiencing jet lag.
  • Melatonin
    Melatonin supplements have been proven effective in treating circadian rhythm disorders in blind patients. Under normal circumstances, melatonin levels begin to rise at dusk and remain elevated until dawn. Bright light suppresses the release of melatonin. Ramelteon, a synthetic melatonin agonist, is FDA-approved for treating patients with sleep-onset insomnia but is used off label for the entire spectrum of circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
  • Modafinil
    Modafinil is a wake-promoting drug used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. 

Mental Health Library Sources:

Information included in all topics of the Mental Health Library comes from the Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-5 and Kaplan & Sadock’s Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry. Complete diagnostic and treatment information may be found within these publications.

Disclaimer:

Information within the Mental Health Library is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis purposes. Rather, it is provided as a public educational service to make people aware of mental health conditions. Please consult a qualified mental health professional for a diagnosis of any suspected mental health illness.

Our Impact in Numbers

Discover the essence of Harmony United Psychiatric Care through our impactful numbers. Our experienced team is dedicated to fostering mental well-being.

10

+

Years of Experience

With 10 years of unwavering commitment to mental health, we bring a wealth of experience to support our patients on their journey.

About Us

58

+

Providers

Our dedicated team comprises 58 skilled therapists', psychiatrists', psychologists', ensuring personalized and expert care for each individual.

Providers

13

+

Locations

Across multiple locations, we extend our reach to provide accessible mental health care tailored to diverse communities.

Locations

70000

+

Patients Served

Over 70000 patients have entrusted us with their mental well-being, experiencing compassionate care and positive outcomes.

Book Appointment

Discover Harmony

Welcome to the latest edition of “Discover Harmony,” the newsletter from Harmony United Psychiatric Care! In this edition, we bring you insights, updates, and valuable information to support your mental well-being journey.

Subscribe to newsletter

© Copyright 2024 HUPCFL All Rights Reserved.

Menu

Book Appt

Call

Login

Pay Bill