Research team: Scientists are not sure how to treat delayed sleep phase disorder. This disorder makes it hard for people to fall asleep at night and wake in the morning. Not going to bed before 2am or 3am is common in patients with this condition.
Researchers in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide are looking for more volunteers for the study. Sydney’s Woolcock Institute is running one of the first trials into this disorder.
320 patients who have the condition will be recruited and160 people will be treated with melatonin; the rest will be given a placebo.
Professor Ron Grunstein, from the Woolcock Institute in Sydney, says the drug melatonin can be given by doctors now – so if it works it is available.
Physicians say up to 15 per cent of people who are told they have insomnia actually have the delayed sleep phase disorder.
Professor Grunstein said it was difficult to diagnose delayed sleep phase disorder as he said most people who have it don’t know it. He said they just think they have trouble getting off to sleep and trouble waking up.
If you think you have this or a similar condition, for more information on the study, call 1300 303 725.
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