Sleeping Disorders

A sleep disorder (also known as somnipathy) is a disorder in the sleep patterns of a person or animal.  Some sleep disorders can cause a range of issues and complications and can also interfere with mental and emotional function.
The most common sleeping disorders are discussed below, along with the following details for each sleeping disorder:
· Symptoms
· Causes
· Diagnosis
· Complications / Issues
· Treatment
· Prevention

Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS)

Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) is a sleep disorder in which sufferers feel very sleepy early in the evening (e.g. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM) and wide-awake later in the night (e.g. midnight, 1:00 AM, etc).
This is the opposite of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS).

Symptoms

The most common symptom of Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) is a sufferer regularly feels very sleepy early in the evening (e.g. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM) and wide-awake later in the night (e.g. midnight, 1:00 AM, etc).

Causes

Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) is frequently encountered in the elderly and in post-menopausal women.
Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) may also run in families, and this version of ASPS is called Familial Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (FASPS).
Familial Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (FASPS) is caused by a range of possible genetic mutations that can be passed from parents to children.

Diagnosis

Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) diagnosis depends on the presence of the relevant symptoms.
Familial Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (FASPS) is caused by a range of possible genetic mutations that can be passed from parents to children.  Genetic Testing can determine if the relevant gene mutations are present in a person's DNA.

Complications / Issues

As with any sleep disorder, the sufferer may experience a reduction in the amount of quality sleep that they receive, frustration as a result of the lack of sleep at night (when everyone else in the house is sleeping), and sleepiness, tiredness and other issues resulting from the lack of sleep during the day.

Treatment

Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) can be treated pharmacologically, with evening bright lights, or behaviorally, with chronotherapy or free-running sleep.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the onset of the symptoms and complications of ASPS, is to seek medical advice and treatment as soon as possible after you notice the symptoms.

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)