I have N24. My sleep schedule shifts an hour later every day, regardless of treatment

Question: I have N24 {non-24-hour sleep-wake syndrome}. My sleep schedule shifts an hour later every day, regardless of treatment.
Kevin: Can you share how it’s been living like that? Does anyone else have any experience with N24?

11 Comments

N24 by Anonymous on Aug 08, 2012

For me, it is a living nightmare. I’m a little sensible and i probably take it more seriously then others. It is because of two factors:
1.) Lack of acceptance. None of my friends, my family or tutors accept this as a serios disorder. I often get simple answers like “go to bed in time”. Yeah, if you didn’t say, i’d have never got the idea…
I’ve been fighting it for 8 years now, it started as a DSPS for me in the first 2 years. Believe me, I’ve tryed everything that could possibly help.
2.) I am a careerist. I have everything what it takes to be successful. Everyone, even who hates me, expect me to success. Despite this, I failed university and I keep failing in keeping a job for long. I can do a normal wake-sleep schedule for some time, but eventually the effects of the sleep deprivation win, sometimes leaving permanent neurological problems behind, if I try to hard.
Now I’m doing jobs at home, seriously underpaid due to bad CV, but at least I make a living now. Dreams about a career? Forget it. And I’m lucky in my profession there are jobs at all can be done at home.
But I’m not going to give up my dreams.

Thank You For Sharing by Kevin on Feb 15, 2013

Thank you both for sharing some of your experience. I’ll be working to get some more info on N24 on this website, as well as circadian rhythms in general.

RELATIVE OF N24 by Anonymous on Sep 16, 2014

It is very hard for close relatives who understand this condition and try very hard to help but there is little they can do. In America they have an awareness day and yet in the UK nothing. I think there are more people with this condition who do not know it or starts as DSPS and sometimes turns to N24 without any warning from the professionals. We need to join forces to make people more aware. We need a group to do this. Our problems will get easier with bigger numbers and that is my view and am sure many others who their lives have been changed with this condition agree with me. One problem is getting people to meet up after all everyone sleeps at different times.

Contact Others With Non24 by Anonymous on Nov 24, 2014

There is a group for this condition!
There’s a mailing list here: http://www.circadiandisorders.org/list
and the non-profit Circadian Sleep Disorders Network here:
http://www.circadiansleepdisorders.org/index.php
November 24th is N24 day! Read more here:
http://n24day.wordpress.com/about/
It’s an international effort, not U.S. only.
You are NOT alone.

Non-24 by Kasha on Feb 14, 2015

There are two different types of Non-24; Blind and Sighted. Roughly half of all blind people have Non-24 but only a small percentage of people who can see have Non-24. There are thought to be 2 different causes. I have Sighted Non-24. You can check out http://www.circadiansleepdisorders.org/ for more information.

Non 24 by Anonymous on Oct 09, 2015

Came across this because I believe I could have this condition . I go to bed around 12 and keep waking up around 2 and 3 is that normal or is that a sign of non -24?