Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder Treatment

Treatment For DSPD

Assessment

Our comprehensive assessment approach gives a clear picture of your circadian misalignment, medications or substances that require management, concurrent mental health issues, & any other sleep disorders, so you get treatment for your challenges.  

Treatment

Up to 10% of adolescents and adults will suffer from DSPD. We provide a multi-faceted treatment approach, based on current guidelines and our experience working with others with this delayed sleep phase disorder, to give you the skills to understand and manage your body clock.

Support

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder is a circadian rhythm disorder and a real condition that can require lifelong management. It can also significantly affect mental health. That’s why sleep psychologists are often the preferred treatment providers. We give comprehensive, close support every step of your journey

What Is Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder?

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that affects a person’s sleep-wake cycle and can significantly disrupt daily life. DSPD is characterized by a significant delay in the sleep-wake cycle. Individuals with DSPD often struggle to fall asleep until late at night and have difficulty waking up at conventional times.

At The Better Sleep Clinic we offer specialized DSPD treatment to help you realign your sleep schedule and improve your overall quality of life.

Common Symptoms of Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder

  • Difficulty Falling Asleep: Persistent inability to fall asleep at a desired or socially acceptable time, often resulting in sleep onset occurring late at night.

  • Challenges Waking Up: Difficulty waking up in the morning, especially for school, work, or social obligations, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness.

  • Sleep Deprivation: Chronic sleep deprivation due to insufficient sleep during the weekdays, often leading to weekend oversleeping to compensate.

  • Impact on Daily Life: DSPD can affect academic, occupational, and social performance, causing stress and anxiety related to sleep patterns.

  • Discrepancy in Sleep Timing: A noticeable difference between the individual's sleep schedule and the rest of the household or societal norms.

You can learn more about DSPD on our comprehensive delayed sleep phase disorder page.


When to Consult a Sleep Specialist

If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms consistently, it may be time to consult a sleep specialist. Professional evaluation is crucial if:

  • Symptoms Persist: If symptoms continue for several weeks, months, years, or simply impact daily functioning.

  • Interference with Daily Activities: When sleep issues disrupt work, school, or social life.

  • Self-Help Strategies Fail: If attempts to adjust sleep habits independently have not been successful.

  • Health Concerns Arise: Concerns about health deteriorating due to chronic sleep deprivation.


Treatment For Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD): Our Treatment Approach

At The Better Sleep Clinic we take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to DSPD treatment that follows international guidelines on effective, evidence-based treatment.

Our sleep specialists work closely with you to develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses your unique circadian rhythm challenges, co-occurring mental health or physical health conditions, and lifestyle needs.


DSPD Treatment Options

Delayed sleep phase treatment has some common components that we will typically tailor to the individual and their situation.

Light Therapy

We use strategically timed light exposure to help reset your circadian rhythm and advance your sleep phase.

Melatonin Supplementation

Precisely timed melatonin administration, of the right type and at the right dosage, can help to regulate the body clock and influence sleep-wake cycle.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

Specialized therapy to address sleep-related behaviours that interfere with sleep and thought patterns that promote sleep anxiety and may worsen your DSPD.

Chronotherapy

Not a commonly used approach, but for some individuals this can be a preferred approach to carefully structure sleep schedule adjustment and gradually shift sleep timing to a more conventional pattern.

Why Choose The Better Sleep Clinic for Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder Treatment?

• Trained sleep psychologists with specialty behavioural sleep medicine expertise
• Personalised treatment plans tailored to your lifestyle
• Ongoing support and follow-up care as required
• Evidence-based treatments with proven results (please always read reviews, read our reviews here)

Picture of woman and man sitting doing sleep therapy

What to Expect Working With Us

  1. Initial Assessment Consultation: Comprehensive evaluation of your sleep patterns, history, physical health and mental health to identify what condition(s) need treatment

  2. Treatment: Based on the initial assessment, a customized approach combining various treatment options

  3. Support: Session-by-session approach with close support and check-ins to promote learning and skill development, monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed until you are ready to self-manage.

Treatment is delivered one-to-one by an experienced and qualified mental health practitioner and sleep specialist.