DSPS doesn't bother everyone who has it. Some people are happy and healthy with a late sleeping schedule, and have found ways to adjust their lifestyle to it. For this reason, many researchers consider DSPS to be a "disorder" only when it interferes with the individual's work or social functioning.
If you think you might have DSPS and consider it a problem, take down the list of symptoms shown above, and discuss them with someone who knows you very well, preferably someone who has lived with you. You should also start to keep a sleep log so a doctor can evaluate your symptoms. This takes a few minutes every day. You should write down:
It is easier to distinguish DSPS from other causes of inadequate sleep if the sleep log is recorded when the patient is not taking sleeping pills, sedatives of any kind, or stimulants such as caffeine. But if your doctor has already recommended one of these types of medication for you, continue to take it as directed until your doctor agrees it is safe for you to stop.
You may have to look hard to find a physician who can recognize and treat DSPS. Try calling your local sleep disorders clinic, or the departments of psychiatry, neurology, and internal medicine at your local hospital. Ask, "Do you treat sleep disorders?" then, "Can you treat circadian rhythm sleep disorders, such as delayed sleep phases syndrome?" Don¹t be discouraged if they cannot help you. Keep looking. The Sleep Medicine Home Page includes a list of sleep disorder clinics and national sleep medicine associations. You can also write to your local sleep medicine association and ask about accredited sleep clinics in your area.
At least two weeks of sleep logs are needed to diagnose DSPS. Many sleep clinics encourage new patients to bring a family member, roommate, or friend to the first visit. An overnight stay in a sleep lab is usually not necessary, except to rule out other sleep disorders.
National Sleep Foundation: "When to See a Doctor About Sleep Problems"- and what to expect if you do.