The psychological aspects of patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS)

Circadian genes, rhythms and the biology of mood disorders

“…Interestingly, these rhythms seem to return to normal with antidepressant or mood stabilizer treatment and patient recovery. Furthermore, genetic sleep disorders such as familial advanced phase sleep syndrome (FASPS) in which individuals have shifted circadian rhythms where they fall asleep and wake up much earlier than desired, or delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) which has the opposite phenotype, are both highly co-morbid with depression and anxiety (Shirayama et al, 2003;Xu et al, 2005;Hamet and Tremblay, 2006). Even individuals that are genetically predisposed towards "eveningness" (a preference for the evening) versus "morningness" (a preference for the morning) are more likely to develop depression (Drennan et al, 1991;Chelminski et al, 1999).…”

Circadian rhythms: Of owls, larks and alarm clocks

“…People with DSPS and FASPS often also have depression 5,6 , and this and other psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are commonly associated with abnormalities in circadian rhythms. "The vast majority of people with major depression have sleep abnormalities and interestingly it can be that they sleep too much or they have insomnia and can't sleep, " says Colleen McClung of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.…”

Delayed sleep phase disorder risk is associated with absenteeism and impaired functioning

“…19 DSPD patients show higher current depression ratings, antidepressant use, and greater lifetime history of unipolar depression compared to controls. 17,20 For example, 41% of DSPD sleep clinic patients showed evidence of depression; 7.2% showed moderate to severe depression. 21…”