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Sleep patterns

Alexa

I found out yesterday that 'disordered' sleep patterns are associated with Autism. I say 'disordered' in inverted commas because I view many problems as a social issue rather than a health threat. Most working hours are daylight ones and, for those of us who are retired, that's when places are open and most deliveries arrive.

Most of the research (as the psychologists admit) is about childhood, not adults. What little there is on adults focuses on things like finding it difficult to get to sleep or wake up (that seems to be a common problem), or not having enough sleep. Only one (or two, but I have no access to the second) take a look at my problem, which is a mismatched circadian rhythm.

I don't feel tired in the evening and have to set an alarm to remind myself to go to bed before 2am.Despite feeling wide awake, I sleep as soon as I get into bed. It's waking up that's the problem! Some mornings, even if I sleep through the alarm, it takes a while for my brain function properly. woozy face

Anyone else have issues with sleep?

Parents

  • I have had sleep issues for as long as I can remember. I have an extremely difficult time getting myself to go to bed. Once I'm in bed, I usually fall asleep quickly and sleep deeply until I need to get up. The problem is, I can't seem to get to bed before 3:00 A.M. or later. On work days I need to be up at 7:30. I set four alarms and I find it very difficult to wake up. I think the root cause is that the only time I have quiet and can really let go of my state of high alert is after my wife goes to bed. As long as anyone is around, my brain is on alert and part of my attention is directed toward the other person, no matter what they are doing. At work I have literally hundreds of interruptions a day. Phone calls, vistors coming in, and staff needing something from me, often right away. By the end of the work day (or before) my head feels like mush and I desperately need time all alone, with no one around. People ask me "Is it a want or a need." I can't state it emphatically enough: It is a need. Even without work, I would need time with no external input, but work makes it worse. I have not been able to come up with a workable solution. I've tried all the things. All my life, I've wondered why. I thought it was due to a lack of discipline, or willpower, or something. It wasn't until I started suspecting that I am autistic and started reading everything I could about it that I discovered that this appears to be a pretty common issue for many autistic people. At least I know that it's not just me, and it's not some sort of character flaw. It hasn't helped me come up with a solution, but I don't beat myself up about it as much as I once did.

  • in reply to TemporarilyNotSoil
    TemporarilyNotSoil said:
    By the end of the work day (or before) my head feels like mush and I desperately need time all alone, with no one around.

    I'm with you. I tended to have long commuting journeys and usually driving. I valued that as time alone, especially in my last job, where I had 40 minutes in beautiful countryside. When really pushed, in my 40s, I spent 15-30 minutes in an old, deserted aerodrome with the windows down. I can still conjure the sound of bees and a lark singing.

    The need for alone downtime is essential to decompress after sensory overload. Is there anywhere you can go after work where you can do that? I would take walks through woods or alongside water. 

    I love your username, by the way! 

  • in reply to Alexa

    Most days I bike to work. The trail I take passes a couple of parks, a botanical garden, and a community garden. That helps some. When the weather is "nice" the trail gets a lot of use. The combination of pedestrians and bicyclists, and now e-bikes as well, can make for a frustrating experience when it's crowded. Rain, cold, and snow reduce traffic quite a bit. That's when I find the ride most relaxing and restorative. When I get home, I usually take my dog to one of the local off-leash dog parks. Some of them are quite large and very nice. That can be helpful.

    Alexa said:
    I love your username, by the way! 

    Thank you. I got it from a friend who was a soil scientist and always attached TNS to his name in lieu of PhD. I always liked that. After he passed, I decided to keep using the expression both as a way of remembering and honoring him, and because I just like it. He was an amazing person, and I feel lucky to have known him. Now he is returning to the soil, as he wanted.

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  • in reply to Alexa

    Most days I bike to work. The trail I take passes a couple of parks, a botanical garden, and a community garden. That helps some. When the weather is "nice" the trail gets a lot of use. The combination of pedestrians and bicyclists, and now e-bikes as well, can make for a frustrating experience when it's crowded. Rain, cold, and snow reduce traffic quite a bit. That's when I find the ride most relaxing and restorative. When I get home, I usually take my dog to one of the local off-leash dog parks. Some of them are quite large and very nice. That can be helpful.

    Alexa said:
    I love your username, by the way! 

    Thank you. I got it from a friend who was a soil scientist and always attached TNS to his name in lieu of PhD. I always liked that. After he passed, I decided to keep using the expression both as a way of remembering and honoring him, and because I just like it. He was an amazing person, and I feel lucky to have known him. Now he is returning to the soil, as he wanted.

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