Is the delayed sleep phase syndrome a physical or psychological disease? A case report of disappearance following a change of latitude.
The delayed sleep phase syndrome is characterized by an abnormally late sleeping and arousal time. Among several available treatments, chronotherapy, light therapy and melatonin administration strongly suggest a frequently recurring disturbance of the brain's circadian clock. However, several studies show psychological disturbances, which are either potentially a consequence or a cause or only fortuitously associated. The first case of disappearance of the disturbance after a move to a tropical latitude does not determine the main responsible factor.
Gottesmann
C
C
Laboratoire de Psychophysiologie, Faculté des Sciences, Universite de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France. gottesma@unice.fr
D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D002980:Climate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*