Not sure what is wrong with me…
Question:
I’m hoping some of you may have some insight relating to my sleep patterns and overall health. I have been considering seeing a doctor, but I’d like some feedback to see if you think I have a legitimate problem, and what I could possibly do on my own. I’m in my mid-twenties, and as long as I can remember I have had VERY vivid, long dreams that I remember in detail. I fall asleep easily, but it seems to be a very light sleep (very small noises can wake me up) where I am stuck in dreaming mode all night. I wake up and am just as tired (or even more tired) as when I went to bed. I’m tired ALL DAY, every day. I’ve noticed a significant decrease in my short-term memory function, and my mind is always a blur of activity. I can’t seem to focus anymore, and I’m thinking it may stem from this lack of restful sleep. Factors that may be contributing to this include extreme stress that I’m constantly under (various reasons – high-powered job, personal issues, etc.), and maybe the fact I don’t have a specific "bedtime." Most weekdays I go to bed around midnight, and TRY to get up by 6:30 (but I usually hit snooze for an HOUR, unconsciously!). Weekends I sleep in as long as I can, and stay up really late. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to remedy the situation? Diet? Medicine? Or could this be a sign of some deeper sleep issues? Any help is appreciated – Thanks!
Response:
On 3 Jan 2005 11:37:19 -0800, SierraM…@gmail.com wrote: >I’m hoping some of you may have some insight relating to my sleep >patterns and overall health. I have been considering seeing a doctor, >but I’d like some feedback to see if you think I have a legitimate >problem, and what I could possibly do on my own.
If it bothers you, it’s a legitimate problem to you. I one time asked my doctor if I was a hypochondriac. He said, "You’re probably more aware of what’s going on inside than most patients, and you invariably have something amiss when you DO come in!" >I wake up and am just as tired (or even more tired) as when I went >to bed. I’m tired ALL DAY, every day. >I’ve noticed a significant decrease in my short-term memory function, >and my mind is always a blur of activity. I can’t seem to focus >anymore, and I’m thinking it may stem from this lack of restful sleep. >Factors that may be contributing to this include extreme stress that >I’m constantly under (various reasons – high-powered job, personal >issues, etc.), and maybe the fact I don’t have a specific "bedtime." >Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to remedy the situation?
I’d say the most obvious thing is poor sleep hygiene (as you say, you don’t have a specific bedtime). >Diet?
Well, as long as it’s reasonable, it shouldn’t be causing problems. On the other hand, if it’s basically coffee…. or (as your E-mail address says) SierraMist… that’s a different matter. >Medicine?
Possibly. There’s some symptoms of depression there (fatigue), some of anxiety (reported stress), possibly bipolar disorder ("blur of activity" but as long as it makes sense it’s more likely than not just a high-powered brain doing its thing). Some high-powered brains don’t like meds, others find things work better when they’re slowed down a bit…. they may be "carefully putting one block in front of another" but at least they’re doing it consistently. >Or could this be a sign of some deeper sleep issues?
Definitely. >Any help is appreciated – Thanks!
I’d say the first thing to do is to work towards a better sleep schedule… your doctor will most likely tell you the same thing. If that isn’t helping matters in a couple of weeks, or things get worse than they are, I would think the next thing to do is go see a doctor.
Response:
I’d start out by practicing some good sleep hygeine (http://talhost.net/sleep/insomnia.htm) – it’s not going to be easy and you may hate it but the benefits may well pay off. While you’re putting this into practice, I’d also make an appointment to see a sleep doc – what you have described could be mulitple different sleep disorders that are treatable. Beth in Australia <SierraM…@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1104781039.200902.150810@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m hoping some of you may have some insight relating to my sleep > patterns and overall health. I have been considering seeing a doctor, > but I’d like some feedback to see if you think I have a legitimate > problem, and what I could possibly do on my own. > I’m in my mid-twenties, and as long as I can remember I have had VERY > vivid, long dreams that I remember in detail. I fall asleep easily, > but it seems to be a very light sleep (very small noises can wake me > up) where I am stuck in dreaming mode all night. I wake up and am just > as tired (or even more tired) as when I went to bed. I’m tired ALL > DAY, every day. > I’ve noticed a significant decrease in my short-term memory function, > and my mind is always a blur of activity. I can’t seem to focus > anymore, and I’m thinking it may stem from this lack of restful sleep. > Factors that may be contributing to this include extreme stress that > I’m constantly under (various reasons – high-powered job, personal > issues, etc.), and maybe the fact I don’t have a specific "bedtime." > Most weekdays I go to bed around midnight, and TRY to get up by 6:30 > (but I usually hit snooze for an HOUR, unconsciously!). Weekends I > sleep in as long as I can, and stay up really late. > Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to remedy the situation? > Diet? Medicine? Or could this be a sign of some deeper sleep issues? > Any help is appreciated – Thanks!
