Circadian rhythm disorders occur when the body’s internal clock is out of sync with the schedule a person is trying to live by. This can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel alert at the times daily life requires. In some cases, what feels like insomnia may reflect a body clock that is delayed, advanced, irregular, or otherwise misaligned, making the body unprepared for sleep when the person is trying to rest.

 

Treatment focuses on helping the internal clock become more regulated through timed light exposure, evening light management, sleep-wake schedule adjustments, activity timing, and behavioral cues that strengthen the body’s rhythm. When insomnia patterns are also present, CBT-I strategies may be integrated to support sleep while the circadian rhythm disorder is being addressed. When the diagnosis is unclear, additional testing may help clarify a person’s biological sleep-wake timing and guide a more targeted treatment plan.