Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

Delayed sleep phase syndrome is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. A person with this disorder experiences a desynchronization between his or her own internal biological clock and the typical sleep-wake cycle of most people. They are often referred to as night owls and have trouble falling asleep before 2 or 3am. When allowed to sleep in and get 7-9 hours of sleep, they are able to function normally, but when forced to rise early without enough sleep, health and social problems arise.