What is the Difference Between ASPD and DSPD?

Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder (ASPD) and Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) are both circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, but they have opposite effects on a person's sleep schedule. The key differences between ASPD and DSPD include:

1. Internal Body Clock: A person with ASPD has an internal body clock that runs earlier, while a person with DSPD has a circadian rhythm that runs later.
2. Sleep Schedule: A person with ASPD may struggle to stay awake in the evening, while a person with DSPD can stay up late but has difficulty feeling alert in the morning.
3. Affected Populations: Older people are more likely to have ASPD, while younger people are more likely to have DSPD. ASPD is also less common than DSPD, but this could be due to underdiagnosis.
4. Sleep Timing: A person with ASPD may fall asleep between 6 p.m.

Comparative Table: ASPD vs DSPD

ASPD and DSPD are both circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, but they have different characteristics and affect different age groups. Here is a table comparing the differences between ASPD and DSPD:

ASPD is characterized by an internal body clock that runs earlier, causing people with ASPD to go to bed several hours before their usual bedtime and wake up earlier than normal people in the morning. On the other hand, DSPD is characterized by an internal body clock that runs later, causing people with DSPD to have trouble staying awake in the evening and difficulty feeling alert in the morning. Both disorders can be diagnosed through sleep logs and actigraphy, and they are mainly treated through good sleep hygiene and bright light therapy.