Chronotherapy

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People who suffer from Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome are generally unable to reset their circadian rhythm by moving their bedtime and rising time earlier. In chronotherapy an attempt is made to move bedtime and rising time later and later each day, around the clock, until these times reach the desired goal.

While this technique has been successful for some, it is necessary to rigidly maintain the desired sleep/wake cycle thenceforth. Any deviation in schedule tends to allow the body clock to shift later again.

Also, there is a period of about three weeks while the clocks are being reset, during which one is rising at very peculiar times, and one cannot report to a regular job during this time.

Here's an example of how Chronotherapy could work over a week's course of treatment, with the patient going to sleep three hours later every day until the desired sleep and waketime is reached.

Example:

   * Day 1: sleep 4 a.m. to noon
   * Day 2: sleep 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
   * Day 3: sleep 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
   * Day 4: sleep 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
   * Day 5: sleep 4 p.m. to midnight
   * Day 6: sleep 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
   * Day 7 to 13: sleep 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
   * Day 14 and thereafter: sleep 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Types include:

• Sleep phase chronotherapy
• Drug chronotherapy