Category Archives: Family & Relationships

Part 2 – My Patient Story on SRBR.org

March 1, 2021
Part 2 – My Patient Story on SRBR.org
This patient story was originally posted on Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR) Night owls have organized and our ranks are growing. Groups like the Circadian Sleep Disorders Network and B-Society are advocating for people with late chronotypes – building awareness of flexible work and school schedules, reducing stigma, and increasing federal funding for sleep research. Late chronotypes (“night owls”) are awake when most people are sleeping for different reasons. Some have a preference or habit for staying up late,…
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Did Elvis Have Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder?

August 16, 2020
Did Elvis Have Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder?
43 years ago today, Elvis died at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. He was just 42 years old. Although Elvis' actual cause of death was listed as cardiac arrhythmia, his heart attack is now considered to be the result of chronic prescription drug abuse. Beginning in the 1960’s, Elvis developed a dangerous dependency on amphetamines, sedatives and barbiturates. Much has been written about what drove Elvis to self-medicate - was he trying to cope with…
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“Just Go to Bed Earlier” (Work Rant)

November 28, 2018
“Just Go to Bed Earlier” (Work Rant)
A couple of of my bosses have advised me to "just go to bed earlier" as have many other people. Although most mean well, it's frustrating to hear and challenging to respond to diplomatically. If I could go to bed and fall asleep earlier, wouldn't I just do it? Early bird colleagues and friends can make late risers feel inferior fairly easily. After all, rising late is widely considered a moral failing - a culpable lack of willpower - like gluttony or infidelity. During…
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Blame Your Parents – It’s Your Genes

July 1, 2017
Blame Your Parents – It’s Your Genes
Evidence continues to mount that certain types of sleep behaviors are governed by our genes. Some of the genes implicated in circadian rhythm sleep disorders are Period (PER1, PER2 and PER3) genes. For those who suffer from Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, one of the culprits is a mutation (or 'variation') of the PER3 gene. This research is not new - here's an excerpt from a study in a 2003 issue of Sleep magazine: "The Per3 polymorphism correlated significantly with extreme diurnal preference, the longer…
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