The following is a visitor-submitted question or story. For more, you can submit your own sleep story here, or browse the collection of experiences and questions other visitors have shared here.

I'm not a lazy drug addict/vampire wanna-be. I'm an owl. Hoo-hoot. 8D

by Stephanie
(Austin, Texas)

I've tried sleeping pills. I've tried herbal remedies. I've tried staying up for periods of time in order to get sleepy enough to outweigh the sleeping pattern. Honestly, I don't even party. I've even tried forcing myself to stay awake and stay outside as much as possible in hopes that maybe the bright sunlight would keep me awake. I've tried all kinds of combinations of all of the above for a couple of years before finally saying, "You know what? This is just who I am. It's not too bad, I suppose."


It's an inconvenience when you live in a place where half of the businesses are shut down by the time you're awake, had your 'breakfast' and are out the door and most of the rest are about to shut down by the time you get to them. Sure, it would be nice if people didn't associate the negetive stereotypes with you just because your sleeping pattern is weird (including calling you lazy) and yes it would be nice if your neighbors would be a little more considerate of said condition but I've honestly gotten used to it.

The biggest thing for me right now is just trying to get a doctor to formally diagnose me so I at least have a sheet of paper saying, "Yes, this is a real condition. No, it isn't this person being lazy."

My question is just how do you go about being diagnosed? Sleep studies are extremely rare where I come from so I really do just need to find out the right type of doctor I have to visit in order to be tested. Would anyone know?

Comments for I'm not a lazy drug addict/vampire wanna-be. I'm an owl. Hoo-hoot. 8D

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 25, 2013
 There are clinics, and doctors who have training, NEW
by: Anonymous

and specialize in sleep medicine. My situation was similar to yours, and a specialist had no trouble diagnosing it. At the time I had battled it for over 10 years, and despite my drive, intelligence, and accomplishments people considered me lazy. It was a great relief to know it had a name.
Mar 30, 2014
 DSPS diagnosis NEW
by: Anonymous

You might want to try the Austin Sleep Clinic, or other sleep clinics. That's how I got diagnosed! Just make sure to make a list of your symptoms. A sleep diary is required by some doctors (I heard), although I didn't need one. Might want to ask one thing I wish I had asked my doctor: if there are any medications to help you stay alert temporarily, for those times you must wake up early!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Thoughts On Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome.



Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.

About This Site

Welcome! This site is continuously being created by students of Dr. William C. Dement's Sleep And Dreams course at Stanford University.

We made this site as a call to action for people all over the world to live healthier, happier, safer, and more productive lives by learning about their own sleep. We have faith that reading the information provided on this site will motivate you to be smart about your sleep deprivation and strategic about your alertness in order to live life to your fullest, most energetic potential.

In fact, we challenge you to do so! What do you say, are you up for the challenge?

A Note On Visitor-Submitted Questions:

Publishing sleep stories and questions from our visitors is meant to create a forum for open and proactive dialogue about an extremely important portion of our lives (one that occupies 1/3 of it and affects the other 2/3) that isn't talked about enough. It is not meant to substitute a trip to the doctor or the advice of a specialist. It's good to talk; it is not good to avoid consulting someone who's profession it is to help you with this kind of stuff.

If you are in any way concerned about your sleep health, don't wait for an answer on here, and don't necessarily rely on them. See a sleep specialist in your area as soon as possible.

More Questions:

Ask | Answer

The Stanford Sleep Book

Stanford Sleep Book Picture

Dr. Dement's pioneering textbook has been the core text for Sleep and Dreams since 1980, but it has just recently been made available to the wider public for the first time.

In it you'll find a more detailed account of the most important things you need to know about sleep, alertness, dreams, and sleep disorders. Studies, statistics, plus plenty of Dr. Dement's classic anecdotes painting the history of sleep medicine.

Preface | Intro | Contents | Get A Copy

More Sleep Resources

The Zeo

Track Your Own Sleep With Zeo

A revolution in personal sleep tracking, the Zeo is a wireless headband that transmits your brainwaves in realtime to a dock (pictured here) or your smartphone. The result? You can wake up and see exactly what stages of sleep you were in during the night! Unprecedented personalized sleep knowledge.

Sleep Paralysis: A Dreamer's Guide

Sleep Paralysis Treatment Book

Ever woken up paralyzed? A surprising number of us have, believe it or not. But few know the actual causes of this phenomenon, and fewer still how to exert control over it. Dream researcher and sleep paralysis expert Ryan Hurd shares breakthrough insights into how to do just that.

Important Disclaimer

Please Note:

The information found on this page and throughout this site is intended for general information purposes only. While it may prove useful and empowering, it is NOT intended as a substitute for the expertise and judgments of healthcare practitioners.

For more info, see our
Terms of Use.