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Would the doctor be able to help with my sleeping problems?

Bloodheart

I have severe sleeping problems due to being autistic...


I'm incapable of regulating my sleeping pattern, currently either I don't sleep or I'm sleeping 11am-5pm. My body doesn't follow the 24 hour clock and doesn't tell me when I'm tired, also I get so caught-up in what I'm doing I lose track of time and when I do notice the time my executive functioning issues kick-in so I can't decide if I should go to bed or stay-up to tire myself out to try to sleep at a normal time tomorrow (doesn't work). Furthermore sleep is completely unappealing to me; I like being busy but sleep is just laying in a room in the dark doing nothing for 7-8 hours. 

Obviously it's not an issue of stress or sleep hygiene, and over the-counter sleeping pills or melatonin don't work at all. The only thing that works is travelling half way round the world (-8 hours) to be with my boyfriend (who sleeps 9pm-5am), his sleeping pattern helps regulate mine but only for a short time. I can also often sleep on the sofa in the sitting room - I think because I can have the TV on so I'm still busy up until I sleep rather than purposefully stopping doing something to go do nothing (sleep). 

Not sleeping means I'm tired and the usual health problems that come with it, neurologically it makes my autism and RLS worse too so it becomes a viscous circle with both conditions keeping me awake, plus I can get nothing done during the day. 

I think it's standard in the UK not to give sleeping tablets at all, and not sure what else could be used to help, so is it even worth going to a doctor about this?
Parents

  • Yes.  You can request time-released melatonin such as Circadin and try that, you may have been given the quick release one before which is less effective as if you waken it has worn off by then.

    You have sleep phase disorder, which is common in autism and I have it too.  Even if I sleep normal hours I feel exhausted and naturally I want to be awake late into the small hours and sleep late in the morning.

    If you want to try sleeping tablets you will probably find it easy to get prescribed but bear in mind that us on the spectrum react to medication as we are more prone to side-effects.

Reply

  • Yes.  You can request time-released melatonin such as Circadin and try that, you may have been given the quick release one before which is less effective as if you waken it has worn off by then.

    You have sleep phase disorder, which is common in autism and I have it too.  Even if I sleep normal hours I feel exhausted and naturally I want to be awake late into the small hours and sleep late in the morning.

    If you want to try sleeping tablets you will probably find it easy to get prescribed but bear in mind that us on the spectrum react to medication as we are more prone to side-effects.

Children
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