Trouble sleeping

I have such a difficult time of sleeping. I'm autistic and I suffer with anxiety as well, also grief after losing my sister in 2015. At some point over time I began having difficulty with sleeping. It might have been before 2015 but I noticed it most after Alice died, and since then my stresses have gotten worse what with every day life stuff going on. My stress has been a lot worse again of late, I tried working again, it didn't go well and I feel like that's set me back some what.

I've always had issues with sleeping, as a child I was infuriating my mum said because I wouldn't go to bed because I was never tired and then I woke several times every night. This continued well in to late childhood and even in to my teens. I sleep, then wake, and then sleep again, and then wake up. That has been my night routine for years. On the surface it doesn't sound much of a problem but overall it's affecting me badly - my immune system is bad now, I'm always tired, body aches and I get so much anxiety it's hard to get through the day with it.

I don't know what I'm hoping for writing this. Maybe just to know it isn't only me like this? Or some help? I don't know. Sorry, this isn't a good first post.

Parents
  • The NAS has produced information which may help you in this section

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/sleep


    Maybe just to know it isn't only me like this? Or some help? I don't know. Sorry, this isn't a good first post.

    There's no such thing as a good - or a bad first post.   Actually, ones that are different are easier to answer.  People who say something unusual make replying more interesting too!  

    We can't give specific medical advise on this forum, and there are many things that could be affecting your sleep.  I'd suggest you speak to your GP if you are having trouble, and run through some of them at the surgery. 

    I never used to have sleep difficulties myself, but developed some as I got older - In my case I had some injuries causing pain & suffer with various mental health issues, so it was a combination of problems - it is always best to get checked out. 

    I wish you well, and you are certainly NOT the only one. 

Reply
  • The NAS has produced information which may help you in this section

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/sleep


    Maybe just to know it isn't only me like this? Or some help? I don't know. Sorry, this isn't a good first post.

    There's no such thing as a good - or a bad first post.   Actually, ones that are different are easier to answer.  People who say something unusual make replying more interesting too!  

    We can't give specific medical advise on this forum, and there are many things that could be affecting your sleep.  I'd suggest you speak to your GP if you are having trouble, and run through some of them at the surgery. 

    I never used to have sleep difficulties myself, but developed some as I got older - In my case I had some injuries causing pain & suffer with various mental health issues, so it was a combination of problems - it is always best to get checked out. 

    I wish you well, and you are certainly NOT the only one. 

Children
  • Thanks for the link. I read a helpful tip of keeping a sleep diary, this will be useful not just for me but it's something I could show my GP when I can see them next.

    I'm sure it's mostly down to anxiety as it's got a bit more severe but I'll be checking with the GP anyway.

    Sorry to hear you have sleep difficulties. Have you found ways to manage your pain? I suffer from painful fingers and have cooling gel I put on them. This ironically doesn't affect my sleeping but it helps me deal with pain (inflammation) during the day.

    Mine probably isn't the most interesting first post ever. However I thank you for your help.