Just as the title suggests, I am digging myself a very deep hole by
skipping about 50% of my classes every week.  They are all early-ish
morning classes, and I have a very tough time getting out of bed.

I get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.  I set my alarm, and find myself
turning it off many times.  I have tried many things, including
setting it all the way across the room, as well as setting multiple
alarms.  Still, I find a way to crawl back into bed.  Occasionally, I
will have a friend call me to wake me up, which usually doesn't work
unless I make them stay on the phone to listen to me turning on the
shower.  It's sad, really.

I really need to find a new solution as to how to wake up each day, 
since my grades are slipping very quickly.  Multiple suggestions would
really help to give me more options and strategies, but just keep in
mind -- I have a VERY hard time waking up.

---

Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 13 Oct 2006 12:16 PDT

nschmoyer,

I really, Really, REALLY feel ya! I have the exact same problem,
although I have lived it for over 40 years. I am 49 now, and have
arranged my life so I can sleep in and get up between 11am and noon.
At 10, my Dad used to throw ice on me to get me out of bed. When my
kids were young, I taught them to get the marbles from the freezer and
lift the covers and throw them in --they roll right to you and are
very effective. I could not hold a job, it was terrible, so I started
a business, then another. Finally at about age 35  went to a Sleep
Specialist (Thanks Dr. Pardee!). I went to the sleep lab and was
ultimately diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder called
"Chronological Phase Delay.". Everyone has a 24 hour clock, but with
this disorder, 8am to you, feels like 4am. Your 24 hour clock is
"shifted" backwards about 4 hours. Dr. Pardee went through the entire
gamut of treatments. Light boxes, CHanging the phase over a 2 week
period, and finally the God Sent Blessed "Pemoline" (brand name
Cylert) which was an absolute miracle. I lived a normal life for about
5 years, but alas the miracle drug started to affect my liver. I cried
and decided to move to Hawaii (west is the right direction for this
type of circadian rhythm disorder), Hawaii was too expensive so I
moved to Las Vegas for 6 years. FInally I missed my family and friends
too much and moved home. Now, at 49 I have again arranged my life si I
don't have to get up until between 11am and noon. Dr. Pardee retired
and the new Doctors want me to go back to the sleep lab and be
rediagnosed --which I cannot do without medical insurance.

My advice? Go to a Sleep Specialist. It's worth the time and trouble.
The most immediate benefit is that with a diagnosis you can let go of
the guilt, and what a burden that is! I lived with it every day. No
one except you and I know the plethoria of excuses we have used, the
chatter in your mind going to school every day is the same every
morning, horribly guilt ridden. You are NOT LAZY! You have a medical
problem.

Give me your city and the school you attend, I'll see what I can
locate for you. Also mention if you have any type of insurance.

And if anyone in this thread tells you to simply GET UP, that it's
mind over matter, or calls you lazy, I'll beat them off with a stick.
I REALLY DO understand.

~~Sleephead Cynthia

PS, I just got up at noon:05

---

Clarification of Question by nschmoyer-ga on 13 Oct 2006 12:29 PDT

Cynthia,

I have never thought about visiting a sleep specialist, although the
LAST thing I want to do is start taking medication.

Right now I am in Norman, Oklahoma and I attend OU.  And I am not sure
about my health care provider, my parents recently left their jobs to
start a new business so I think we are in a transitional phase.

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 13 Oct 2006 12:36 PDT

Of the current descriptions of circadian rhythm disorders,
'delayed sleep phase syndrome' seems to fit your description.
Here's an article from the Sleep Channel about treatment:
http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.com/dsps/treatment.shtml

Let me know if this satisfies your interests...

sublime1-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 13 Oct 2006 12:54 PDT

I'm not surprised you never thought this as a medical problem. I never
did either until some kind soul explained it to me like I am to you.

Call your parents and ask about coverage. Getting a diagnosis and
treatment will change your life.

Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder 
http://www.apollolight.com/new_content/circadian%20rhythms_disorders/sleep/circadian_sleep_disorders.html
..."Delayed Circadian Rhythm Disorder (DCR) means your body clock is
running slower than a normal circadian rhythm (24-hour period). Your
body doesn't 'wake up' until later in the morning or day. You may have
difficulty getting started in the morning, you may feel a bit groggy
or down during part of the day, and you may experience a second wind
later in the evening. Those with DCR are often referred to as night
owls, and find it easier to stay up late at night. Although some DCR
sufferers have little trouble falling asleep, almost all have
difficulty getting up or getting started in the morning..."

In my case my rhythm is not slower, the sleep part of the cycle is
from about 3am to 11am. I naturally start to wake up around 11am.

~~Off to work (really!) I'll be back later. Even if someone else
"Answers" your question, I will find some local resources for you.

---

Clarification of Question by nschmoyer-ga on 14 Oct 2006 11:39 PDT

Thanks to everybody so far for their input, it has allowed me to do some thinking.

In response to some questions:
As far as a dog goes, I can't own a pet at the place I am renting
right now, but maybe that could be a solution in the future.

Melatonin: Unfortunately, I have no idea about this.  I did take a
psychology course a few years back and I understand that it is some
sort of chemical released by the body, but that is the extent of my
knowledge on it.  I'm not sure if I mentioned this earlier, but I'd
rather find solutions that don't involve medication.

As far as having the problem before college- yes, I have.  As far back
as I can recall, my dad would have to wake me up repeatedly every
morning before I would actually get up.  I was never actually late to
class because of this, but when he was on business trips and couldn't
wake me up during the weekends, I would sometimes show up late for
work.

I regret to say it, but "escapism" sounds like it might have some
importance in my situation.

And one final note: On the subject of "delayed sleep phase syndrome",
this could very well be the condition, but wouldn't that mean I would
at least wake up around the same time every day?  I have tried to
schedule my classes later in the day, and I still find myself somehow
skipping them by sleeping EVEN LATER,  Although I am pretty much
guaranteed to be awake by 12:30.

---

Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 14 Oct 2006 12:58 PDT

You asked: ..."wouldn't that mean I would
at least wake up around the same time every day?..."

Yes, this means that without clocks or commitments you would naturally
have a sleep phase consisting of about 8 hours and wake up at X:xx
time. You seem surprised that this time would be around noon. A sleep
phase disorder would not really be much of a problem unless it was
greatly exageratted. I'm sure those folks with a 1-2 hour phase
disorder exist, but they atre able to function without much
difficulty.

My sleep phase naturally ends around 11am and I begin to stir--and
glance at the clock around then. It's 12:50pm, on my only day off, and
I just woke up a few minutes ago.

Before I received my diagnosis, I thought it was "escapism" as well,
but later, after the guilt was removed by Dr. Pardee, I realized that
that was projected upon me by my family and friends. Escapism is the
tendency to ..."escape from daily reality or routine by indulging in
daydreaming, fantasy, or entertainment..." --that says nothing about
sleep. You don't try to get out of school or work, you just have a
hard time getting up, getting goiug and showing up to your
commitments.

Do you WANT to attend school, have a career? If so, then it's not
escapism. You don't sound irresponsible or lazy, you sound like you
are frustrated with your inability to wake up.

When I wake up, I feel like I am still in the dream state for about 30
minutes. When I first crawl out of bed, the real world fels and sounds
like a dream, and the dream state is still running in the back of my
head. Over the first half hour of waking up, --like a car's gas and
clutch--it switches and I become more and more functional. "Waking up"
is very difficult. I never hop out of bed, even after a full nights
rest and getting up at noon. It's just that at noon I don't have to
fight the demons.

To address a couple other issues: Menatonin is available in the
suppliment section of any pharmacy. It shuts off the brain chemical
that keeps up awake and would assist you in going to sleep at an
earlier hour. You never feel drugged when you take it. It might help.

Pemoline IS a prescription drug. I never once felt drugged when I took
it, but I did give a pill away now and then and those people said it
was like speed. Pemoline has now been removed from the market except
in very controlled instances so it's not really an option.

I can outline one (non-drug) treatment that worked for me. It takes 15
days to complete--where you move your sleep phase around the clock to
a place you want. Unless you have a 2 week vacation in which to do it
I would not recommend trying it. This method is EXTREMELY
effective--although after you complete the treatment you have to be
vigilent about staying on your new schedule.

I'm going to poke around the net for resources for you today..

---

Clarification of Question by nschmoyer-ga on 14 Oct 2006 15:50 PDT

After reading up on DSPS a little bit more, I am a bit worried that I
might actually HAVE this condition.

It seems like every single piece of information describing DSPS
relates to me, including "There have been several documented cases of
DSPS and non-24 hour sleep-wake syndrome developing after traumatic
head injury."

I really am hoping right now that I don't actually have DSPS, and it
is just a lack of motivation, or even "escapism".  But, if it is DSPS,
then I'm gonna beat it.

Tonight, I'm gonna purchase a low dosage of melatonin from the drug
store and try that out.

I'm happy with the results I've gotten from this question, so you can
post an answer now.  Just kind of summarize everything and give me
some options and I'll be happy.

Thanks.

---

Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 14 Oct 2006 15:58 PDT

I will recap all the suggestions for you , and post an official answer
later tonight.

In the meantime, I want to recommend that you get the sublingual type
of Melatonin (melts under your tongue) --take 2-10mgs 40 minutes
before you wish to feel like you could sleep. Remember, Melatonin does
NOT make you tired, it only shuts off the brain chemical that keeps
you awake, allowing you to feel like you could sleep, should you wish
to try.

~~Cynthia

Hi nschmoyer,

Thank you for allowing me to Answer your question. Occasionally, when
a Researcher encounters a low dollar question where the topic is
something of extreme interest, the asker will get an exceptional
in-depth answer worth far more monetarily. This is the essence of
being a GAR (Google Answers Researcher), -- the love of combining our
searching and writing skills into a "Report" of sorts on a topic we
are passionate about, tailored to a specific individual. We never know
when a question that moves us will be posted, but when it does we are
hooked, we rearrange our day because we can't help but be drawn to it.
For me, this is one of those topics!

I can guarantee one thing: If you follow the suggestions in my Answer,
your life will be forever changed!

My Answer is divided into sections:

1) General Commentary and my opinion as to your set of symptoms and what they mean.

2) Actions you can take immediately to help you get up at a specific
time that is earlier than your body is ready for.

3) Resources both online and local to your area, how to seek treatment.

4) Other suggestions and my comments in regards to how well they work.


Commentary:

I want to note at the outset that you have ALL the classic signs of
the medical condition known as "Delayed Sleep Phase" as outlined here:

Delayed sleep phase syndrome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome
..."Delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS) is a chronic disorder of sleep
timing. People with DSPS tend to fall asleep at very late times, and
also have difficulty waking up in time for normal work, school, or
social needs..."

This is an excellent article, I strongly advise you read it in
entirety before you proceed, or, be sure to come back to it later.

This explanation is from Stanford:
http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/delayed.html

Note, Delayed Sleep Phase is a name for a group of symptoms that
combined, from whatever cause, causes problems in peoples lives.
Treatments have been developed to cope with these symptoms. The first
step is to proclaim your condition, to move from denial to embracing
the concept of taking a journey to overcome a set of symptoms. This is
very liberating and I hope you do it soon. The second step is to begin
to seek medical treatment. You can do some things on your own, but
because it involves the most basic functions of sleeping and waking,
medical help is necessary. This is a medical condition, and although
experts have acknoledged this is difficult to treat, there is a
variety of treatments available, and based on interviews with your
specialist an individual treatment plan will be outlined. In most
cases a successful treatment will be found fairly quickly (a year, or
two at most). To facilitate this, you should begin to keep a "Sleep
Diary" as all sleep specialists ask you to maintain one. If you take
one in at the outset you will be ahead of the game.

Print and use this form:

National Sleep Foundation Sleep Diary
http://sleeplessinamerica.org/SleepDiaryChart.pdf

I Strongly advise you to Proclaim Your Condition:
Tell all your personal friends, family, co-workers, school friends,
instructors, --that you are seeking medical assistance for sleep
issues that are causing you problems. In the meantime, change as many
aspects of your life to accomodate the symptoms as you can. Don't live
in denial anymore. If folks are receptive, you can explain "delayed
sleep phase syndrome"

Delayed Sleep Phase
http://www.sleepeducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=30
Carry around a copy of this as a cue card until you are familar and
comfortable with the lingo.

This will help you explain your condition in medical terms. Be
committed to seeking medical assistance to overcome this
condition--regardless of the source of it, and no matter what the
treatment requires. Depression and other causes will be ruled out
before an actual circadian rhythm disorder will be diagnosed.
Understand this is a journey, and will require commitment. If you do
commit to the journey there is a normal life down the road.

Dealing with this head on is very important. You don't have to hide it
anymore, life gets a lot easier after you proclaim your condition. The
more you talk about it the more avenues of treatment you will find
available to you. All of a sudden people are a bit more accepting
because you are seeking (and later being treated) for the condition.
Attempt at every turn to convert all your classes and appointments to
the afternoon. From now on, don't make any appointments in the
morning. When you are offered one, the standard reply should be:

..."Mornings do not work for me, when is your first available
afternmoon appointment?..."

Unfortunately, before you get in to see a qualified sleep specialist,
you need to continue to get up most mornings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  HOW TO GET UP IN THE MORNING  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Preparations the night before:

1) Decide what you're going to wear and make it available.

2) Find your keys and any necessary paperwork you will need for the
day. Set them in the same location every evening.

3) Take showers at night in case you don't have time in the morning,
this will reduce stress in the morning.

4) Set all your alarms with precision, and double check them.

5) Develop a night/bedtime ritual. This will aid you in falling asleep
at the time you desire--allowing 8 hours to your wake-up time.

*************************
The 3 Alarm Method
*************************

You must use 3 alarm clocks for this to work. If you can forget in the
morning (I can) set all 3 clocks 10 minutes fast. Otherwise forget it,
use real time.

Alarm #1 - Set to 90 minutes before you want to get up.
Placement: Right next to your bed. 
Preferably a digital snooze alarm with a big snooze button on the top.
Set this one to music that you can hear in the morning--but isn't so
loud as to cause you to shut it off. If you do, use the snooze. You
will get 4 snoozes before Alarm #2 starts:

Alarm #2 - Set to 50 minutes before you MUST get up.
Placement: Across the room. 
Similar to the first, but set this to be the BUZZER noise that you
must hit snooze for to get another 9-10 minutes of blessed sleep. You
want this one loud enough to irriate you enough so that you get out of
bed every snooze length and shut it off. At this point, you will have
the Radio Alarm next to your bed going off AND the one across the
room. You will be disturbed constantly. If you don't get sick of it in
5 snoozes, here's the final call:

Alarm #3 - Set to the last friggin' minute. You MUST get up NOW.
Placement: Outside your bedroom door.
TYPE OF CLOCK:  http://www432.pair.com/linton/hugg/twinclock.jpg 
This is a WIND UP. The they are really obnoxious. They are unaffected
by power interuptions or outages.
When this goes off, you have to hurry to get ready to be on time.
There is NOT 10 minutes to spare. If you used all three alarms and
started 90 minutes ago, you will be out of bed turning this off before
it goes off.

**************************************************************
Poor-Man's Light Box Therapy 
...can be used with the 3 Alarm method as insurance.
**************************************************************

Go to sleep with the drapes open (lights off). If necessary, rearrange
your bedroom so that the light will naturally hit your face as soon as
the sun rises and it will stay on your face as the time gets later.
This works because it naturally mimics the medical treatment with
powerful "Light Box Therapy." You will try this when under a Doctor's
care.

If you can afford it, get one of these hats. When your alarm goes off,
put on the hat (turn it on!) and lay back down and wait for the light
to do it's magic:

Light Visors: Effective Portable Light Therapy
https://www.sunbox.com/Products/OtherProducts.asp

Combine it with a Dawn Simulator or similar Light Therapy product:

https://www.sunbox.com/Products/10000LuxBright.asp#FEATURES
https://www.sunbox.com/Products/DawnDuskSimulators.asp

--------------------------------------------
RESOURCES
--------------------------------------------

Sleep Centers of America, Inc. 
900 36th Ave. NW, Ste. 200 
Norman, OK 73072 
MAP: ://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&q=sleep-centers-of-america&near=Norman,+OK&ie=UTF8&z=13&om=1
Patient Care Center 
Toll-Free: 1-866-40 SLEEP Fax: 1-866-60 SLEEP 

--------------------------------------------

SLEEPNET FORUMS
http://www.sleepnet.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html

--------------------------------------------

CHRONOTHERAPY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronotherapy
This is a description of how to move your sleep phase around the
clock. This link shows a 2 week process using 3 hour intervals. I did
it nightly using 90 minute intervals. This DOES work, however if you
fail to maintain the final sleep phase (go off the schedule) even 2
months later, you risk reverting to the old pattern.

--------------------------------------------

More Good Web Sites:

http://www.sleepdisorderchannel.com/dsps/
http://www.kidzzzsleep.org/handouts/delayedsleep.htm
http://www.geocities.com/delayed_sleep/
http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome.htm

There's thousands more links here:
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22Delayed+Sleep+Phase%22+&btnG=Search


**************************************
Other Methods and Suggestions
**************************************

Melatonin - This will be effective in allowing your body to fall
asleep naturally at an earlier time, provided you have had enough
waking hours. It is not a sleeping pill of any sort and will not cause
you to become sleepy.
Melatonin for Treatment of Sleep Disorders
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/melatsum.htm

--------------------------------------------

"Loving Kind Good Natured Helper" Method
AKA - ..."Love is....waking me up in the morning..."  --A very good
friend/lover/etc takes the time, every morning, to get up an hour
before you need to be up. They make noise in the kitchen, make coffee,
turn on the bedroom light, turn on the TV or Radio, open the drapes,
then bring the coffee. you groan awake, and inwardly are thankful and
hope they don't go away. They keep talking, they ask questions like
that cause you to think of an answer like:

"where is the remote?"
"what time is your appointment?"
"do you know the time?"

...they turn on the shower and tell you if you don't hurry the water
will be cold. These types of individuals are called Angels and are one
in a million. If you find one, marry him/her immediately for all your
problems are over.

--------------------------------------------

"Man's Best Friend" Method
There are many benefits to owning a dog. Counting on a K-9 alarm may
work for some, but I own two chihuahuas that literally whine for me to
get back IN bed. Use this method with caution as I find it even harder
to get out of bed with my two little snugglers beside me!

--------------------------------------------

Frozen Marbles
Frozen marbles work wonders, and unlike ice cubes, they are dry. I
used to keep a margerine container full of them. If all else failed,
my kids would quietly sneak in (giggling) -- lift the covers and throw
them in on both sides of me. They definitely get your attention.

--------------------------------------------

Bumper Sticker & T-Shirts proclaiming: I DON'T DO MORNINGS!
http://www.zazzle.com/product/235893681081156052

--------------------------------------------

LOCAL LINKS:

"Norman, Oklahoma" "sleep disorders"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22Norman%2C+Oklahoma%22+%22sleep+disorders%22

--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------

nschmoyer,

In closing, I hope you feel better about your sleep/waking problem! 
You've learned a lot in one day, --now, take action!  If I can be of
further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask for "Clarification"
before rating my Answer --I'll be happy to help further.  And because
this is a topic I am passionate about, would you mind coming back and
letting me know how you are doing from time to time? The question will
continue to accept "Comments" and "Clarifications" for one year. I
would love to hear what happenes to you.


~~Cynthia


Search strategy:
Personal experience and bookmarks.

---

Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 14 Oct 2006 19:47 PDT

LOL - another symptom of finding a question we are passionate about - more links!

Accredited Sleep Diosorder Centers in Oklahoma
http://www.sleepcenters.org/Centers.aspx?state=OK

Sleep Centers in Oklahoma
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleepcenters/locate.php?state=OK

Stanford Center of Excellence 
http://med.stanford.edu/school/psychiatry/coe/

Your Guide to Healthy Sleep
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.htm
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/index.htm

Sleep Medicine 
http://www.users.cloud9.net/~thorpy/
A plethora of links into the world of sleep disorders.

---

Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 14 Oct 2006 22:18 PDT

Nick,

Thank you so much for the kind words, the 5 stars, and the generous
tip! Alas, we are not allowed to post contact information such as
email addys, however--my email is very easy to find from the main
google search page.

~~Cynthia

---

Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 14 Oct 2006 22:27 PDT

I just noticed that the very first link in the Wikipedia article goes
to this informative page:

Circadian rhythm sleep disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm_sleep_disorder
..."Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are a family of sleep disorders
affecting the timing of sleep. People with circadian rhythm sleep
disorders are unable to sleep and wake at the times required for
normal work, school, and social needs. In general, they are able to
get enough sleep if allowed to sleep when they want. Unless they have
another sleep disorder, their sleep is of normal quality..."


Nick, just so you know, I will probably continue to post links
pertaining to this topic until it closes in one year. Reason being is
now that you have asked the question, I will use this page to "bank"
all related links in a public place. That way I can always find 'em!

---

Clarification of Answer by cynthia-ga on 05 Nov 2006 05:54 PST

I found another interesting blog:

On Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome 
http://delayedsleepphase.blogspot.com/
Recent posts discuss a possible gene mutation, melatonin use, the
psychological makeup of DSPS individuals.

To Cynthia and everyone else who has had input:

I feel like I have received more attention then a simple $10.00
question would ever deserve, and I've gotten many of the answers that
I was looking for.  As far as I'm concerned, I meet every single
symptom of DSPS -- reading that Wikipedia entry was like looking at a
history book of my life.  And yes, I know that this is nothing like
being diagnosed with cancer, but I still do consider it to be very
impacting in my life up to this point.

I've got my bottle of water and Melatonin ready to go, my alarms set,
and my gym clothes set out for tomorrow morning.  I'm going to wake
up, run, and then go to church (something I haven't been able to do on
my own but once or twice in my entire life).

To Cynthia- I wish I could tip you more but I am currently a poor
college student and am scrounging for money :)  I will make it up to
you sometime in the future, whether it be monetarily or otherwise (who
knows, maybe I'll find the *ultimate* treatment for the condition).

And cynthia, is there any way you can send me a private message or
something along those lines with your email address?

-Nick

I'm assuming these are college classes.  If so why not schedule your
classesm for later in the day.  It doesn't solve the problem of
getting up but will allow you attend your classes and be alert.

Otherwise, go to bed sooner or leave a more active lifestyle so you
are more tired when it is time for bed.  Exercising helps.

Bowler's suggestions will help. Be shameless about your problem,
simply tell people you have a medical problem and cannot get up in the
morning. You start your day at noon, period. Don't make morning
appointments. Go to your school counselor and explain the problem,
heck, print out this thread and take it with you. Ask for help in
getting your class schedule to match your circadian rhythm. We will
find you a local Doctor that will assist you with treatment.

I understand that "going to bed earlier" does not work. If it did, we
would have been doing that instead of sleeping in every day. It feels
like you are going to bed at dinnertime, and you are not in the least
bit tired, you lay there till you would normally fall asleep.

Most of all, you must stop activities that lead to being late in the
morning, the guilt is killing you. You have no idea what a burden is
lifted to have a Doctor tell you you have a real medical problem!
Reschedule your life to work around this until you recieve a diagnosis
and begin treatment.

Most people don't know this, but this type of sleep problem is well
documented and is considered a serious medical problem. They won't
laugh you out of the office, there's treatments! Please post back with
the information I asked for. In the meantime, I have to go to work,
I'll check back later today.

God Bless!

4 suggestions from an insomniac with serious waking-up issues.  may or
may not help, but looks like you want options...

my college roomate used to leave two caffeine pills (no-doze or
something similar; basically coffee in a pill), and a glass of water
next to his bed when he went to sleep.  he would set one alarm clock
for 1 hour before he needed to get up, and would wake long enough to
take the caffeine pills.  this had enough of an effect that when the
"real" alarm clock went off an hour later, he could force himself out
of bed.

i've had some success keeping the alarm clock on the other side of the
bedroom, so in order to turn it off, i have to get out of bed.  as
much as i crave it, i don't allow myself a "snooze" option.  i have to
admit i'm pathetic enough that sometimes i'll turn it off and crawl
back in bed, but at least it's more difficult than hitting snooze or
turning it off without getting up.  actually, i have two alarm clocks
on the other side of the room, and the second is an "emergency" clock
i'm only allowed to turn off after my shower.

what has worked best for me recently actually happened by accident. 
we got a dog that needs to go outside to pee early in the morning. 
amazing how the thought of having to clean dog pee off the floor is
more of an incentive than the fear of missing a meeting, but it is, at
least for me.  this only works if you get your dog on a schedule that
matches yours, and has the added weakness that you have to get up that
early on weekends, too.  but i usually go back to bed after taking him
out on weekends...

finally, it doesn't work for me, unfortunately, but we give my
daughter melatonin at dinner, and it helps her go to sleep reasonably
early.  it's considered by some to be "homeopathic", which i normally
am extraordinarly suspicious of, but i can't argue with success.  our
doctor ( a real one, not an alternative medicine one) recommended we
try it, and said it causes no long-term problems even for kids. it's
made a huge difference in her ability to get up in the morning, as
she's getting to sleep 1 to 1.5 hours earlier.

good luck.

-cab

errata for previous post:

didn't notice you'd already tried the "across the room" option.

another advantage of a dog is that a cold nose and wet tongue on your
face are harder to ignore than a buzzing sound.  he won't go away
unless i ignore him for 5-10 minutes, and when i hear him leave, i
KNOW i've got about 30 seconds before he pees on the floor.

should clarify that melatonin is an over-the-counter drug you can find
almost anywhere.

and by the way, none of this is meant to minimize cynthia's hypothesis
that you could have something more serious going on; just providing
other things to try.

-cab

Greetings,

You mention this in connection with college.  Did you have the problem before?

With all respect for Cynthia's experience and recommendations, the
urge to sleep, to turn off the alarm clock and roll over, can be
escapism, dissatisfaction with what one is doing to the the extent of
making it a failure, or only subconsciously recognizing that one hates
it or is beyond one's depth, and by developing a way to miss classes
avoids the embarrassment of exposing one's lack of
preparation/understanding, while finding an excuse for the situation.

Okay, this does NOT sound like you  - having a friend call you and
talk until s/he hears the shower, but only "occasionally".

I just throw this in as another possibility  - from someone with a
certain experience in rejection, avoidance, procrastination.

Did it start with college?  Or did Dad throw you out of bed?
If it started at college, there could very well be a connection.

Good luck.

I think an anti-depressant would help. It would cost a little, but
less than losing a semester of college.

Sleep Centers of America, Inc.
900 36th Ave. NW, Ste. 200
Norman, OK 73072

MAP: ://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&q=sleep-centers-of-america&near=Norman,+OK&ie=UTF8&z=13&om=1

Patient Care Center
Toll-Free: 1-866-40 SLEEP Fax: 1-866-60 SLEEP

Call these folks and talk to them about your problem. Be sure to
mention this has been a lifelong problem.

I took their "Interactive Sleep Quiz" which did NOT detect my
disorder, so don't be surprised if it doesn't catch yours either.
Extreme sleep rhythm disorders are not common.

This page: http://www.sleepcentersusa.com/patients.html focuses on
shift workers. These folks have a regular sleep cycle but are forced
to function outside their normal sleep phase. My problem is I try to
function in a 8-5 world when my sleep phase is out-of-whack to that
8-5 world.

Before I went to a sleep specialist I was prescribed Antidepressants
by a well meaning Doctor with no sleep sub-speciality. If you are not
"depressed" after you wake up, then taking antidepressants will not
work. Depression and sleep problems are different, although depressed
people can exhibit this same symptom of not being able to wake up and
get out of bed. Since this has been a lifelong problem I doubt you are
clinically depressed.

Getting a medical diagnosis takes some time. Several Doctor visits and
a full-blown sleep study where you are admitted to a hospital for 2
days. When you get the results, your Doctor can outline a treatment
plan. Prescription medication is always the last resort. I didn't try
pemoline until I had been going to Dr. Pardee for over 3 years.

All this buzz I have created about a possible medical condition does
nothing to help you get out of bed, so I won't post an official answer
for you. I mean this only to make you aware of a possible medical
condition that I think you should explore--that would eventually lead
to full resolution of your problem, emotionally and physically. It's
not a quick fix.

The only things that worked for me:

1) That 2 week treatment where you literally change your sleep phase.
I will outline it if you ask, however it is grueling and unless you
have 2 solid weeks off with nothing planned, you should not try it. It
DOES work.

2) A patient loving person that woke me up with coffee every morning,
stroking my forehead and gently and good naturedly  talking me awake
for 30 minutes every morning.

3) Pemoline (Cylert) -- Withdrawn from US market by manufacturer March '05.

(note alarm clocks are nowhere on that list)

I wish you luck---and a strong urging to seek medical help. I'll
continue to watch this thread with my big stick!

~~Cynthia

Good work, Cynthia! Excellent answer. I have a bit of this problem as well.

nshmoyer-- I'm happy that you really found help and can treat your
symptoms.  I'm glad to see that you got over your initial reluctance
to take any type of medication and were willing to try melatonin. 
There are many kinds of medication which are life-saving to many
people, and I'm glad that there was something that could help you!