Michigan Sleep Specialists: Restless Leg Syndrome

Circadian Rhythm Disorder (CRD)

Circadian rhythm refers to a person's dark-light or sleep-wake pattern during a 24-hour cycle. Over 25 million Americans work the night shift or have non-traditional work schedules. Approximately 70% of these people suffer from Circadian Rhythm Disorder, an interruption in the biological clock which results in a disruption in the regular intervals of sleeping and waking during a 24-hour period. Circadian Rhythm Disorder can take different forms. One is Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), in which the person goes to sleep later and, consequently, rises later than usual. This often interferes with normal work or school schedules.

Symptoms Include:

Inadequate amounts of sleep Inability to fall asleep and difficulty awakening
Impaired work performance, with chronic lateness or absences, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses

Another form of Circadian Rhythm Disorder is Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS), in which a person experiences excessive sleepiness in the early evening and has a very early awakening time. Patients with ASPS often complain about:

Difficulty staying awake in evening social situations
Insomnia at the end of the sleep period, with early morning awakening