Essence |
Disturbance of various aspects of biological rhythms (e.g.,
cycle, amplitude, phase, and interrelationship) that
indicate circadian oscillation |
|
Presumable causes |
Light exposure during the night |
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Lack of light exposure in the morning |
|
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Decreased physical activity |
|
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Disturbance of biological clock and/or serotonergic/
melatonergic systems |
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Symptoms |
Disturbances related to the autonomic nervous
system |
Sleepiness, insomnia,
disturbance of hormonal secretion, gastrointestinal
problems, sympathetic nervous system predominance |
|
Somatic disturbances |
Tiredness, fatigue, neck and/or back stiffness, headache,
persistent yawn, desire for sleep, wish to lie down,
inactivity, lumbago |
|
Disturbances related to higher brain function |
Disorientation, loss of sociality, loss of will or
motivation, impaired alertness and performance, difficulty
with memory or concentration |
|
Neurological disturbances |
Attention deficit, aggression, impulsiveness, hyperactivity,
irritation, hypersensitive |
|
Psychiatric disturbances |
Symptoms observed in depressive disorders, personality
disorders, and anxiety disorders |
Therapeutic approaches |
Morning light exposure |
|
|
Avoidance of nocturnal light exposure |
|
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Conventional approaches |
Light therapy, medications (hypnotics, antidepressants,
melatonin, etc.), physical activation, chronotherapy |
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Alternative approaches |
Traditional Chinese medicine, qigong, tanden breathing,
acupuncture |
Prognosis |
Early phase (functional?) |
Can be easy to resolve |
|
Chronic phase |
Difficult to resolve |