Advanced sleep phase disorder (ASPD) involves a shift in the body’s internal clock, causing individuals to fall asleep and wake up much earlier than desired.
Early Evening Sleep
People with ASPD typically experience excessive sleepiness and a strong desire to sleep in the early evening, leading to difficulty staying awake during social or work-related activities.
Despite going to bed early, individuals with ASPD wake up very early in the morning, feeling fully rested, but this pattern can interfere with social and professional obligations.
ASPD often develops in older adults and may have a genetic component, with family history playing a role in its onset.
Treatment may involve light therapy, melatonin supplements, and behavior therapy aimed at gradually shifting the sleep-wake cycle to a more socially acceptable pattern.