Doza - Sleep disorder management app
Doza helps people with sleep disorders manage their symptoms, filling a gap left by generic sleep trackers and clinical symptom treatment.
Product Design
CASE STUDY :
DOZA: SLEEP DISORDER MANAGEMENT APP
Role: Product Designer & Developer | Timeline: Dec 2025 - Present | Platform: iOS (React Native)
The Problem
People with narcolepsy and sleep disorders lack tools to manage daily symptoms. Existing apps focus on night sleep analysis while ignoring naps, cataplexy tracking, and disorder-specific needs. Users cobble together 3-4 apps or abandon tracking entirely.
Research Insights (Survey: n=14, r/Narcolepsy community)
Current tools fail users:
43% use no formal tracking - "just wing it"
64% use wearables but report they don't address disorder needs
100% expressed frustration with existing solutions
Communication breakdown with doctors:
86% struggle to describe symptoms to healthcare providers
71% can't remember specific details (timing, frequency, triggers)
50% report "too many episodes to track individually"
Feature demand validation:
85% want cataplexy episode logging with trigger tracking
79% want quick nap timer functionality
78% want pattern visualization charts
71% want integrated dream journal
Competitive Gap
Feature | Narcolepsy Monitor | Sleep Cycle | Bearable | Doza |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nap scheduling & reminders | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Cataplexy trigger tracking | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Dream journal | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Modern UI | ⚠️ Clinical | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
No existing app combines proactive nap management, disorder-specific symptom tracking, and dream journaling.
User Personas
Alex (28, N1 w/ cataplexy, 5-10 yrs managing): Needs consistent nap schedule with reminders. Wants to correlate nap adherence with symptom severity. Currently uses Calendar + Apple Watch + spreadsheets.
Jordan (22, N2, <1 yr managing): Needs quick logging (<30 sec) that doesn't "take over my life." Building documentation for new doctor. Currently tracks nothing - "just wings it."
Design Principles
Proactive, not reactive - Help users manage schedules, not just track after
Fast logging (<30 sec) or it won't get used
Disorder-specific without being clinical - Consumer-friendly + medically informed
Integration over fragmentation - One app, not 3-4 separate tools
Solution: Core Features
Dashboard: Quick actions for nap timer, symptom log, dream journal + today's summary
Nap Management: Recurring schedules, flexible adjustments, reminders, timer with notifications
Symptom Tracking: Cataplexy episodes with trigger identification (laughter, stress, surprise) + context
Dream Journal: Linked to specific naps/sleep periods with tags and vividness ratings
History/Insights: Calendar view, pattern visualization, correlation analysis, PDF/CSV export for doctors
Design & Development
[High-Fidelity Wireframes, prototypes, and final designs to be added]
Tech Stack: React Native, Expo, SQLite, NativeWind (Tailwind), React Native Paper
Visual Direction: Dark theme, accessible typography, modern consumer-app aesthetic
Impact & Next Steps
Current Status: MVP in development, beta launching Q2 2026
Next: Complete prototypes → Usability testing (n=5-8) → TestFlight beta (50-100 users) → App Store launch
Key Learning: Users want simple solutions to complex problems. Speed beats comprehensiveness for daily tracking. Community validation prevents building in a vacuum.
Market Opportunity: First mover in integrated sleep disorder management. 70M Americans have sleep disorders; 200K+ have narcolepsy. No comprehensive solution exists.
Full case study with detailed research findings, wireframes, and usability testing available upon request.