Circadian rhythm sleep disorder, free-running type in a sighted male with severe depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia

• Published in: Journal of clinical sleep medicine 2011-02, Vol.7 (1), p.93-94
• Main Authors: Brown, Mark A, Quan, Stuart F, Eichling, Philip S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Agoraphobia - complications; Agoraphobia - diagnosis; Agoraphobia - therapy; Anxiety Disorders - complications; Anxiety Disorders - diagnosis; Anxiety Disorders - therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Depressive Disorder - complications; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - therapy; Disease Progression; Drug Administration Schedule; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Melatonin - therapeutic use; New Research; Phototherapy - methods; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - complications; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - diagnosis; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm - therapy; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1550-9389; 1550-9397
• DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.28047

Circadian rhythm sleep disorder, free-running type (CRSD, FRT) is a disorder in which the intrinsic circadian rhythm is no longer entrained to the 24-hour schedule. A unique case of CRSD, FRT in a 67-year-old sighted male is presented. The patient had a progressively delayed time in bed (TIB) each night, so that he would cycle around the 24-h clock approximately every 30 days. This was meticulously documented each night by the patient over the course of 22 years. The patient's CRSD, FRT was associated with severe depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia. The agoraphobia may have exacerbated the CRSD, FRT. Entrainment and stabilization of his circadian rhythm was accomplished after treatment that included melatonin, light therapy, and increased sleep structure.