Final answer:
Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) involves an earlier-than-typical sleep-wake schedule, causing early evening sleepiness, extreme morning alertness, and waking up in the early morning hours. It is different from jet lag as it is persistent and not induced by external factors. Treatments can include light therapy and chronotherapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main symptoms of Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome (ASPS) are characterized by the individual's circadian rhythm being shifted earlier than the conventional sleep-wake schedule. This results in symptoms such as difficulty staying awake in the evening, experiencing extreme morning alertness, and an early sleep onset. Individuals with ASPS usually find themselves feeling very sleepy in the early evening, often going to sleep between 6 PM and 9 PM, and then waking up very early, typically between 2 AM and 5 AM, unable to return to sleep despite the early hour.
The syndrome is a chronobiological disorder similar to other circadian rhythm sleep disorders, such as Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, where individuals have a delayed sleep pattern. However, unlike jet lag or shift work disorder, ASPS is persistent and not typically induced by external factors like travel or work schedules. Treatments might involve light therapy or chronotherapy to help shift the sleep phase, with the goal being to align it more closely with societal norms and the individual's lifestyle needs.