A Case Report on Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder in an Adolescent: Misdiagnosis and Symptom Overlap with Mood Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Andleeb Rasheed, Myra Ahmed, S

Abstract

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder with a pattern of significantly delayed sleep onset and wakening times. According to DSM-5, delayed sleep phase syndrome is characterized by an inability to fall asleep and awaken at a desired or conventionally acceptable earlier time (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This is a case report of an adolescent male who presented with mood dysregulation and ADHD symptoms, unsuccessfully treated with multiple psychotropic medications, and showed complete remission of symptoms after being correctly diagnosed with DSPS and treated with phototherapy.