- Do you have problems sleeping on a "normal" schedule?
- Do you sleep a few hours on, rise for a few hours, then repeat this cycle over and over again?
- Are you an extreme night owl or morning lark? Does this have a negative impact on your life?
- Do you constantly experience jet lag?
- Do you find your work on the night shift is messing with your sleep rhythms?
If you answered yes to any of these question, you might have a circadian rhythm disorder (CRSD or CSD). A circadian rhythm disorder is described as a neurological condition in which you have trouble synchronizing the sleep-wake cycle with the day-night cycle. CRSDs can wreak havoc on work and family life, but fortunately, they are treatable.
How do you find out if this is what's plaguing you? First, see your doctor and get tested and diagnosed. You can't do much until you know exactly why your sleeping habits are the way they are, and it will be important for you to rule out other hidden health conditions or even personal sleep habits which might be leading to these kinds of symptoms.
Treatments for CRSDs vary widely and depend upon your specific condition. For more information about CRSDs in general, and their treatments, you are encouraged to visit the Circadian Sleep Disorders Network.
