Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD)

The phenomenon of children and teenagers sleeping in classrooms is quickly becoming common. Arguably, the use of electronic media in their bedrooms is the cause of this disturbing pattern. This essay will aim to discuss that sleep deficiency is associated with the use of electronic gadgets particularly mobile phones and sleep offset. However, this does not necessarily cause Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD). The essay will also aim to explain that even though there is no known and tested correlation between DSPD and adolescents at the moment, it could very well be a precursor to adolescents eventually developing DSPD whereby anxiety, depression and low self-esteem will follow.

Most of the studies done on sleep and wake patterns among adolescents
first described Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) in 1981 as a daily sleep disorder whereby the individual’s internal body clock is delayed by the external day/night cycle. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders describes DSPD as a disorder in which the major sleep event is delayed in relation to the desired clock time, resulting in complaints of sleep onset insomnia and/or difficulty in awakening at the desired time. DSPD is present to some degree in most if not all adolescents. It is thought to be a normal biological developmental phase. In a 1993 study done by Carskadon et al, the results found that there was a positive correlation between DSPD and the biological process of puberty. Its mean age of onset is about 15.4 years. DSPD is found more frequently in teens and young adults than in the general population. The hormones of puberty play an essential role in the onset of the pattern. DSPD is typically characterized by significantly later sleep onset times compared to social convention and long sleep potentials when attempting sleep at more conventional bedtimes. The less restrained daily schedule during holiday’s likely accounts for later sleep schedules, and changes to parental influence over sleep schedules may also influence these
In recent decades, research has shown that unusual sleep patterns and habits in children and adolescents have become increasingly more common. Other stimulating activities like watching TV, playing video games, and using the computer before bedtime also affect bedtime. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2006 Sleep in America Poll, almost all American adolescents (97%) had at least one electronic media device in their bedroom. The National Sleep Foundation found that adolescents who had four or more media devices in their bedrooms got significantly less sleep on both school nights and non-school nights than adolescents who had three media devices or less. These adolescents were also more likely to have fallen asleep at school or while doing homework at least a few times per week because of fatigue and they are more likely to think that they have a sleep problem. The poll also found that adolescents with more media devices in their bedroom also consumed more caffeinated beverages during the day and were more likely to be ‘‘evening” type. This means they have a preference for going to bed late and getting up late than adolescents with fewer media devices in their bedroom. According to Duggan & Smith (2013), the study concluded that social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have rapidly become an integral part of adolescents and children’s lives, with