Symptoms and Signs
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder Symptoms and Signs
This page pulls together the symptom-level picture of Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder in a way that is easier to skim than the full pillar page.
Main diagnosis page
Return to the full Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder pillar page.
Clinical overview
- Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder is a mismatch between the person's internal clock and the sleep schedule that their life requires. Patients often say they can sleep, just not at the time they need to, and that distinction is often what separates circadian problems from primary insomnia.
- Clock mismatch: The central issue is timing. The sleep pattern may work biologically, but it is misaligned with social or occupational demands.
- Subtype matters: Delayed sleep-wake phase, advanced phase, irregular sleep-wake rhythm, non-24-hour type, and shift-work type can look quite different in practice.
- History first: A careful sleep schedule history and sleep diary are often more helpful than a generic sleep complaint alone.