Chronotherapy for Treatment of Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Chronotherapy is a method of dealing with disruptions in the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm of the body is the 24-hour cycle that regulates the natural activities such as appetite, mood, energy, libido and sleep. This cycled is balanced delicately. And if that balance is disrupted, circadian rhythm disorder can happen.

What is Chronotherapy?

Chronotherapy is the medical treatment that can be a cure for circadian rhythm disorders. It can coordinate the biological rhythm of the body with the possible timing and amount of medication that can boost the drug’s primary effects and lessen the undesirable side effects.

The Advantages of Chronotherapy

Basically, chronotherapy does not involve any kind of medication. It only is about observing how the body reacts to the medications that a patient is already taking. The therapy also works fast, and this can be advantageous for people who sleep more than the amount of time that they are used to. It has also been observed that while a patient is undergoing chronotherapy, the patient immediately falls asleep quickly – this can help a lot for the patient’s confidence.

Other therapies basically run around in circles. Chronotherapy is not like that. It has a beginning, middle and an end. A patient would know what to expect on the therapies and there is a possible prediction on when will the therapy work. The body, psychologically speaking, cannot immediately adjust to the change of schedule. If you need to sleep earlier and get up earlier, it would take a lot of time in order for the body to get used to the new schedule. However, with chronotherapy, the new schedule will feel strange to you only for a few days. After that, the new schedule will not feel more and more like normal.

The Disadvantages

Just like any other therapy, chronotherapy has its own set of disadvantages. In some instances, a patient undergoing therapy can wake up earlier than planned and will be unable to fall asleep again. There is also a possibility that the person will become unproductive during the period of therapy. This is because the person will have to stay awake until it is already time to sleep. This can become a very uncomfortable experience for that person. It is also considered a disadvantage that you will have to take some time off from the routine that you have been used to. You will need your vacation for this therapy.

Making the Most Out of the Therapy

Planning for the therapy can make you more productive. First, you have to discuss your concerns with your sleep specialist. It is also important to keep your contacts aware that you are undergoing therapy. Turn off your phone while you are having your therapy to avoid any distraction. It is important to keep track of what you are planning to do in order to keep yourself awake.